Crising accelerates, may leave PAR Thursday evening

After causing at least two deaths, Tropical Depression Crising accelerated away from the Philippines, with state weather forecasters expecting it to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday night.

 

PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said Crising was already near the border of the PAR as of 5 p.m., and may exit by 8 p.m. It had earlier been forecast to leave early Friday morning.

 

"Malapit na ito sa borderline ng PAR. Lalabas ito sana bago 8 p.m., makalabas na ito ng PAR," Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

With Crising's exit, he said areas affected by Crising, including Mindanao, can expect gradually improving weather.

 

But he said the northeast monsoon will still bring light rain to parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

 

"Improved weather na, light rain showers na (We can expect improved weather and light rain showers)," he said.

 

On the other hand, Quitlong said a gale warning still applies to the eastern side of Luzon and Visayas.

 

Storm signals lowered

 

PAGASA said storm warning signals over Southern Palawan had been lowered.

 

As of 4 p.m., it said Tropical Depression Crising was estimated at 200 km west of Balabac, Palawan.

 

It said Crising packed maximum winds of 45 kph near the center and is moving west-northwest at 22 kph.

 

But it reminded fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the seaboards of Northern and Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Visayas.

 

Rain showers, thunderstorms

 

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Bicol and Mimaropa may expect cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.

 

Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces may have "cloudy skies with light rain" while Metro Manila and the rest of the country may be "partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms."

 

PAGASA also said "moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough."

 

"Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas," it said.

 

Gale warning

 

PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds may affect the seaboards of Northern and Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Visayas.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said.

 

NDRRMC: 12 roads and bridges impassable, 14k affected due to Crising

 

At least 12 roads and bridges were rendered impassable while more than 14,000 people were affected by bad weather conditions brought by Tropical Depression Crising, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

 

In its 2 p.m. update, the NDRRMC said the affected infrastructures were located in Eastern Visayas and in Regions 10, 11, and Caraga.

 

The NDRRMC said these included:

 

Leyte:

 

Bukidnon:

 

Davao Oriental:

 

Davao del Norte:

 

Compostela Valley:

 

Agusan del Norte:

 

Agusan del Sur:

 

Also, the NDRRMC said Crising has so far affected 31,749 families or 146,041 people in 113 villages in Regions 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

 

Of these, 2,702 families or 12,689 people are staying in 18 evacuation centers.

 

The death toll remained at two.

 

PAGASA earlier said Crising may exit the Philippine area of responsibility early Friday.

 

Cebu Pac cancels 4 flights due to bad weather

 

Air carrier Cebu Pacific on Thursday announced the cancellation of at least four domestic flights due to bad weather conditions brought by Tropical Depression Crising.

 

In a post on its Facebook account, Cebu Pacific said the flights had destinations in Manila, Bicol, and Central Visayas.

 

The flights included:

 

 

"Affected passengers will be accommodated on the next available flights. Passengers on these flights may also rebook within 30 days of their original flight, or refund these flights, or place them in their Travel Funds without penalties," Cebu Pacific said. — TJD, GMA News