Manila: More areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression (TD) Mirasol was last tracked in the vicinity of Kabugao, Apayao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the areas affected include Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the western and northern portions of Isabela, the northwestern portion of Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union. These regions have been placed under the signal due to the potential impact of Mirasol, which continues to maintain its strength with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Mirasol is forecast to bring heavy rains to Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, and Benguet. PAGASA has indicated that Mirasol is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday.

"It's possible that wind signals may still be hoisted as Mirasol exits the Philippine landmass tonight because the cyclone is still near some Northern Luzon areas," PAGASA assistant weather services chief Chris Perez said in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing. There is also a possibility that up to Signal No. 2 could be hoisted in some areas, given the potential intensification of the cyclone.