Tropical Depression 'Florita' to bring flash floods across Northern, Central Luzon

[ASEAN NOW News]

(PNA photo by Joey Razon)

 

MANILA – Tropical Depression Florita will bring heavy rains across Northern and Central Luzon with several areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, the weather bureau said Monday.

 

In its latest weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Florita" was last seen 310 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, moving west-southwestward at 20 kilometers per hour.

 

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are likely over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes and Aurora.

 

Heavy to intense, with at times torrential rains are forecast over Cagayan, Isabela and Batanes provinces and the regions of Cordillera Ilocos. 

 

Moderate to heavy rains will prevail over the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, and the rest of Cagayan Valley, while light to moderate, with at times heavy rains over the rest of Central Luzon.

 

Scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards, as well as in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.

 

"Florita" packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is forecast to reach the tropical storm category within the day.

 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao).

Strong breeze to near gale strength winds will be experienced in these areas. 

 

Gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength may be experienced over Bicol Region, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique, and Aklan as "Florita" begins to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat).

 

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas will prevail over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon. 

 

These conditions may be risky for those using small sea vessels. PAGASA advised mariners to take precautionary measures when venturing out to the sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions. 

 

PAGASA said the trough of "Florita" will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and the Visayas.

 

Flash floods or landslides are possible during moderate to at times heavy rains.

 

Over Mindanao, isolated rain showers will be experienced due to localized thunderstorms. (PNA)