More areas in Northern Luzon have been placed under wind signal no. 1 due to Tropical Depression Luis Monday morning.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is now in effect over
central and eastern Cagayan
Isabela
Quirino
eastern and southern Apayao
eastern Kalinga
eastern Mountain Province
eastern Ifugao
northern Aurora
Polillo Islands
northern Camarines Norte
Strong winds are expected in these localities, although with minor to minimal impacts.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, Luis was located 130 kilometers east southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour with gustiness up to 70 kph and is almost stationary.
The tropical depression may pass close to or make landfall over Isabela on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning, according to PAGASA.
After landfall, the weather disturbance will move away from land.
It will weaken into a remnant low pressure area by Wednesday, August 5, before merging with the broader circulation of Typhoon Dolphin, which is outside the Philippine area of responsibility.
The weather disturbance will bring significant rainfall over many parts of Luzon:
Monday, August 3
Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 millimeters)
La Union
Pangasinan
Zambales
Bataan
Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 millimeters)
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Kalinga
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Benguet
Tarlac
Nueva Ecija
Pampanga
Bulacan
Tuesday, August 4
Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 millimeters)
La Union
Pangasinan
Zambales
Bataan
Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 millimeters)
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Benguet
Ilocos Sur
Aurora
Nueva Ecija
Tarlac
Pampanga
Bulacan
Rizal
Cavite
Batangas
Metro Manila
ENHANCED HABAGAT
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or Habagat will be enhanced by the far away Typhoon Dolphin from Wednesday through the weekend.
Wednesday, August 5
Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 millimeters)
Zambales
Bataan
Occidental Mindoro
Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 millimeters)
La Union
Pangasinan
Benguet
Nueva Ecija
Tarlac
Pampanga
Bulacan
Rizal
Cavite
Laguna
Batangas
Metro Manila
Localized flooding may occur in urban and low-lying areas, as well as the communities along river channels, while rain-induced landslides are possible in areas highly susceptible to such hazards.
At 2 a.m. Monday, Typhoon Dolphin was located 2,850 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon.
It packs winds of 155 kph with gusts up to 190 kph and is moving west northwestward at 25 kph.
It is less likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility but may approach its northeastern border by the middle of next week.
The typhoon is forecast to cross the Ryukyu Islands before making landfall over eastern China next weekend.
The public is advised to continue monitoring updates on the weather disturbances and the Habagat and to make the necessary preparations.
FOOD PACKS
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said some 4.9 million family food packs were strategically prepositioned in over 1,000 warehouses across the country.
“Nakakatiyak po ang ating mga kababayan na tayo ay mabilis, maagap at magiging sapat ang tulong na maipapaabot sa mga kababayan po natin na maaapektuhan nitong ‘Luis’ and of course ng iba pang mga extreme weather phenomenon,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.
Ready-to-eat food boxes were also provided to stranded passengers in Bicol Region while additional family food packs were delivered to the local government unit Zamboanga City, she said in an interview with state-run media PTV.
Apart from food and non-food needs, psychosocial first-aid will also be given to potential evacuees as part of camp coordination and management and protection of internally displaced persons.
“‘Pag may nakikita po tayo na mga balisa, may mga hindi po mapalagay sa mga evacuation centers, ‘yan po ay binibigyang tulong natin sa pamamagitan nga ng provision ng psychosocial interventions kasi mahalaga na matulungan sila na malampasan ‘yung trauma or anxiety,” she said.
STRANDED PASSENGERS
The Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, said that as of August 3, 40 individuals have been reportedly stranded particularly in the area of Jomalig going to Real, Quezon.
“As we speak po, dalawang pantalan pa po ang ating mino-monitor ngayon, at we have 40 passengers stranded… itong mga stranded na pasahero ay nasa kani-kanilang mga booked na resorts, ito po ay mga turista,” PCG Spokesperson Commo Noemie Cayabyab said in the same interview.
All rolling cargo vessels that were previously reported stranded in Tabaco Port have been allowed to sail, according to Cayabyab.
Sea travel remains suspended in areas of central and eastern portions of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and the northern portions of Aurora and Camarines Sur.