The state weather bureau has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of Cagayan Valley region and Aurora as a low-pressure area intensified into Tropical Depression Florita late Sunday.
Florita is seen to become a storm by Monday morning, with rains expected over northern Luzon, as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm may reach a peak intensity of 75 kilometers per hour.
The center of the tropical cyclone is expected to make landfall in Cagayan or the northern portion of Isabela on Tuesday morning or afternoon, before moving west northwestward crossing several provinces.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over the following areas: the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag), the eastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Cabagan, Tumauini, Ilagan City, San Mariano), and the eastern portion of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Baggao).
It is expected to continue moving west southwestward in the next 12 hours, before shifting westward on Monday then west northwestward by Tuesday towards northern Luzon.
“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard…” the bulletin read.
Florita is set to bring in light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, and Aurora. It will then bring heavy to intensive with at times torrential rains over Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos on Monday evening through Tuesday evening.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also expected over Central Luzon and the rest of the Cagayan Valley before Florita emerges over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday early morning.
In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Florita was last located 540 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 70 kph.
Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience winds of 30 to 60 kph or intermittent rains within 36 hours.
It can also cause slight damage to some houses made of very light materials and may break twigs of small trees, tilt banana plants, and damage leaves of plants and trees.
Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in flood and landslide-prone areas.