PAGASA: Luzon areas under Signal No. 1 as Mirasol approaches Isabela, Aurora

Fifteen areas in Luzon are under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Mirasol moved westward while approaching Isabela and Aurora.

According to PAGASA's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 3, Mirasol was spotted at 10 p.m. based on all available data including from Baler and Daet Doppler Weather Radars at 95 kms east of Baler, Aurora or 65 kms southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph, and central pressure of 1006 hPa, while moving westward at 20 kph.

Mirasol's strong winds extend outwards up to 200 kms from the center.

Signal No. 1 has been raised in the following areas:

1. Batanes,
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands,
3. Isabela,
4. Quirino,
5. the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Quezon, Kasibu, Dupax del Norte, Bambang, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Sur),
6. the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis),
7. Apayao,
8. Abra,
9. Kalinga,
10. Mountain Province,
11. Ifugao,
12. Ilocos Norte,
13. the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa),
14. Polillo Islands, and
15. the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Vinzons)

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has stressed its call for safety precautions in anticipation of heavy rainfall and rain-induced hazards following the development of the low-pressure area into Tropical Depression Mirasol, and other weather disturbances.

These weather disturbances are expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall in the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides, and other associated hazards in different parts of the country, the OCD said.

The OCD will raise its operations to Blue Alert status starting tomorrow morning in preparation for potential impacts of Tropical Depression Mirasol and other weather disturbances.

“The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center, manned by OCD personnel, will be placed on Blue Alert status to intensify monitoring and coordination regarding preparedness and response actions. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard will also be on duty at our Operations Center.” Civil Defense Administrator, Undersecretary Harold Cabreros said. —NB, GMA Integrated News