Signal No. 2 raised over 5 areas ahead of ‘Rosita’ landfall

Signal No. 2 was raised over five areas as Typhoon “Rosita” (international name “Yutu”) moved closer to Northern Luzon, the weather bureau said Monday.

Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino and Polillo Island have been placed under Signal No. 2, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 a.m bulletin.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas:

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Abra

Apayao

Benguet

Ifugao

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Batanes

Babuyan Group of Islands

Nueva Vizcaya

Nueva Ecija

Pampanga

Tarlac

Northern Quezon

Rizal

Bulacan

Metro Manila

Laguna

Batangas

Bataan

Zambales

Cavite and Camarines Norte

Rosita is expected to make landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area on Tuesday.

The typhoon weakened early Monday with maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 210 kph. It was moving west southwest 15 kph.

Rosita was last spotted 540 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Strong to very strong winds are expected to affect the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon starting Monday.

Moderate to heavy rains, meanwhile, will also be experienced over Northern and Central Luzon starting Monday evening.

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora face possible storm surges.

Rosita is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday. /cbb