Parts of PH’s eastern section under Wind Signal No. 1 due to Kristine

MANILA, Philippines — Parts of the eastern section of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were put under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 on Monday night due to Tropical Depression Kristine.

As of 11:00 p.m., Kristine was last spotted 480 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center with gustiness of up to 70 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa).

These areas are under TCWS No. 1, causing 39 to 61 km/h wind speed that may only lead to minimal to minor threat to life and property:

Luzon

• The eastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue, Maconacon, Divilacan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, City of Cauayan, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, Naguilian)
• The southeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Nagtipunan)
• The southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda)

Aurora

• The northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, General Nakar, Pitogo, San Francisco, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real) including Polillo Islands

Marinduque

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Albay

Sorsogon

Masbate, including Ticao Island and Burias Island

Visayas

Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Samar

Leyte

Biliran

Southern Leyte

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte, including Siargao-Bucas Grande Group

Kristine may then intensify into a tropical storm “in the next 12 hours” before reaching the severe tropical storm category on Wednesday, when it is seen to make landfall over Northern Luzon.

It is then forecast to reach the typhoon category on Friday as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

Pagasa said the highest TCWS which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Kristine is still Wind Signal No. 4.