'Crising' roars toward N. Luzon

Tropical Storm Crising intensified on Thursday afternoon as it approached Northern Cagayan, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over more than 30 areas in Northern Luzon, which are bracing for gale-force winds and intense rainfall.

- CHRISTINE BOTON, Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso, Rudy Santos, Ric Sapnu, Cesar Ramirez, Jun Elias, Gilbert Bayoran, Mark Ernest Villeza, Elizabeth Marcelo, Helen Flores

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Crising (international name Wipha) was located 135 kilometers east-northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 135 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph, while moving west-northwestward at 20 kph, according to PAGASA.

Under Signal No. 2 are Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and parts of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mountain Province and Ifugao. These areas may experience gale-force winds within 24 hours and are at risk of minor to moderate damage to life and property.

In Abra, the northern and central towns — including Manabo, Pidigan, Tayum, Boliney, Bucloc, La Paz and Lagayan — are under Signal No. 2. The same alert was raised over the eastern portions of Mountain Province (Natonin and Paracelis) and Ifugao (Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista) as well as northern Ilocos Sur, including Vigan City and surrounding municipalities.

The weather bureau warned that stormy weather and heavy to torrential rainfall could trigger floods and landslides in these areas. Local winds may be stronger in coastal and mountainous areas directly exposed to the storm's circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over several other parts of Luzon, including Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, the rest of Abra and Ilocos Sur, La Union, northern Aurora, northeastern Nueva Ecija and northern Pangasinan.

Crising, according to PAGASA, was expected to make landfall over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands yesterday evening. It was forecast to move northwestward and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by afternoon today. The storm may continue to intensify and reach severe tropical storm category by tonight or early tomorrow.