Rains, possible flooding threaten areas under signal no. 2

Manila: People in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 should take precautions against continuous rains brought by Tropical Storm Kristine that would likely result in floods and landslides, the weather bureau said Wednesday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, and City of Sorsogon). Gale-force winds will prevail in these areas. "Areas under signal no. 2 will continue to experience inclement weather. Rains could result in flooding, especially in low-lying areas," PAGASA assistant weather services chief Chris Perez said, adding that landslides are also possible in areas experiencing continuous downpour. Strong winds will prevail in areas under TCWS No. 1: Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, the rest of Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Guimaras, the northern portion of Negros Occidental (Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, San Enrique, Murcia, Silay City, City of Talisay, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, City of Victorias, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, and San Carlos City), the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, and City of Guihulngan), the northern and central portions of Cebu (Alcantara, Argao, Dumanjug, Sibonga, Pinamungahan, Ronda, Liloan, Cebu City, Moalboal, Consolacion, Danao City, B orbon, Carmen, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, City of Carcar, Mandaue City, Catmon, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Cordova, Compostela, San Remigio, Balamban, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Asturias, Barili, Medellin, Sogod, Tabuelan, and City of Talisay) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte including Siargao-Bucas Grande. Kristine maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. It was last located 200 km. east of Casiguran, Aurora or 255 km. east of Baler, Aurora. Kristine slightly accelerated, moving north-northwestward at 30 kph. The cyclone is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall over Isabela on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Kristine and the northeasterly wind flow will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Mindanao . PAGASA also said there is a moderate to significant risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. Gale warning is still hoisted over the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. Mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside, PAGASA said. Source: Philippines News Agency