Kristine shuts down Calbayog Airport, cancels flights

Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) causes the stoppage of operations at Calbayog Airport and the cancellation of several flights on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Department of Transportation)

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) prompted the suspension of operations at Calbayog Airport and the cancellation of several flights on Tuesday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said Samar Island’s Calbayog Airport in Calbayog City and Catarman Airport in Northern Samar grounded all scheduled flights amid potential risks due to the weather disturbance.

Caap also said that Flight DG 6177 and Flight DG 6178 at Masbate Airport were postponed due to Kristine, affecting a total of 140 passengers.

“Moderate to heavy rainfall with light to moderate winds has reduced visibility to 1 km [in Masbate Airport],” Caap said in its 6 a.m. situation report.

READ: Kristine now a tropical storm; Signal No. 1 up in 24 areas nationwide

Caap likewise said it is monitoring the Bicol International Airport, Virac Airport, and Tacloban Airport, which all remain under normal operations as of Tuesday morning. It reminded its area center managers to strictly enforce the ban on light aircraft operations during inclement weather.

Based on the latest forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Kristine poses threats to the Bicol Region as it was located 390 kilometers (km) east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

As of 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Pagasa raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 24 areas nationwide.

READ: PCG: 3,418 people stranded at Luzon, Visayas ports due to Kristine

“Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions,” Pagasa noted.

The state weather agency said Kristine may reach the severe tropical storm category by Wednesday, October 23, and make landfall over Isabela by Wednesday evening.

Pagasa said Kristine is projected to go “northwestward to west-northwestward until Thursday, October 24, before turning westward for the rest of the forecast period” and leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening, October 25.

Tropical Storm Kristine may further develop into a typhoon by Friday as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, it added.