Tropical depression “Crising” maintained its strength while slowing down over the sea east of Aurora yesterday afternoon as concerned government agencies made preparations in anticipation of the storm’s impact on communities across a wide swath of Luzon.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino and the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya; the northern portion of Aurora; Abra; Apayao; Kalinga; Mountain Province; Ifugao; the northern portion of Benguet; Ilocos Norte; Ilocos Sur; the northern portion of La Union; Polillo Islands; Camarines Norte; the northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
The center of the eye was estimated at 335 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, or 545 km east of Baler, Aurora, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
It was moving west-northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
A landfall scenario over mainland Cagayan tonight is possible, the weather bureau said.
“Crising” is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow afternoon.
It is likely to reach the tropical storm category last night or early Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced on its Facebook page that its alert status has been elevated from “Blue” to “Red” effective noon yesterday.
All detailed duty officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and other key agencies are now required to render duty at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, it said.
Likewise, the Office of Civil Defense said it is working closely with local government units and partner agencies as “Crising” and the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat) bring heavy rains across many parts of the country.
“Resources are ready, and coordination is ongoing to support affected areas. The public is advised to stay alert, monitor weather updates, and follow local advisories,” the OCD said in a statement.
As this developed, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) placed 44 airports nationwide on heightened alert due to the tropical depression’s movement across the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario has likewise instructed all area and airport managers in potentially affected regions to activate their respective Airport Emergency Plans (AEPs) promptly.
In a statement, he said they are to maintain close coordination with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, airline operators, and other airport stakeholders to ensure passenger safety, secure facilities, and uphold continuous operational readiness.
The agency also announced the suspension of the following eight flights of Cebu Pacific (CEB) and its sister airline CebGo, due to unfavorable weather conditions.
