Quezon province on ‘blue’ alert due to Kristine

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Depression Kristine

Quezon Province map. INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan has raised the alert status of the provincial disaster management operation center to “code blue” after Tropical Depression Kristine entered the Philippine area of responsibility.

In a memorandum circular issued on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 20), Tan said the rise of the alert level warning is for the effective monitoring of Kristine in the province.

“Flash floods or landslides are possible due to moderate to at times heavy rains, especially in areas that are highly or [very] susceptible to these hazards,” Tan said in her order to local government officials and disaster management councils.

A blue alert status means that all disaster risk reduction management council personnel and equipment are placed on standby in case of emergency.

Kristine entered the Philippine territory early Monday and is forecast to develop into a typhoon before making landfall over Northern Luzon towards the weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kristine was 1,050 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of 5 a.m., Oct. 21, carrying maximum wind speeds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Kristine is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, according to Pagasa.

“It may reach the severe tropical storm category by tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon or evening and the typhoon category by Thursday afternoon or evening, before landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan,” the agency said. INQ