Kristine remains strong over Aurora, Quezon; Signal No. 2 up in 26 areas

Track of storm Kristine as of 8 am of Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from Pagasa.

Track of storm Kristine as of 8 am of Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from Pagasa.

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm Kristine maintained its strength as it moved west northwestward over Quezon.

26 areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.

In its 8 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Kristine was last located 310 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora or 310 km east northeast of Infanta, Quezon.

Satellite image of Storm Kristine from Pagasa as of 8 am of Wednesday, October 23, 2024

The storm is moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h).

It was still packing its wind speed of 85 km/h and gustiness of up to 105 km/h.

READ: 26 areas placed under storm signal number 2 as Kristine gets nearer

The following areas are under TCWS No.2:

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is up in the following areas:

Luzon

Visayas

Mindanao

Landfall forecast

Pagasa said that Kristine is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or Northern Aurora on Wednesday night or Thursday early morning.

It is also expected to “gradually intensify” into a severe tropical storm category before it makes a landfall.

It may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday.

Gale Warning

A gale warning is up in the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

The state weather bureau warned that “[s]ea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.”

The Office of Civil Defense said on Monday that Kristine may affect 30 million individuals, adding that “18,000 barangays are at risk of rain-induced landslides and floods, particularly in Central Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos Region, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos), Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula.”

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