5 Bicol flights canceled as Kristine now east of Virac

Manila: Tropical Storm Kristine has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was last tracked 335 km. east of Virac, Catanduanes, the weather bureau said Tuesday. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported at least five canceled flights between Manila and Bicol Region. These were 5J 821 Manila-Virac; PR 2925/PR 2926, PR 2923/2934 Manila-Daraga-Manila. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 has been hoisted over Catanduanes; while signal no. 1 is hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Masbate, Ticao Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, Romblon, and Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon. Also under signal no. 1 are Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao-Bucas Grande. Strong to gale-force gusts due to Kristine and the northeasterly windflow are still forecast over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan. Gale warning is hoisted over the eastern seaboard of Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. PAGASA advised mariners to remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside. The cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. Source: Philippines News Agency