'Isang' threatens northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical depression “Isang” veered north yesterday, threatening Batanes and other provinces in the area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pagasa weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said Isang is likely to make landfall in Batanes tomorrow if it maintains its present course.

No storm warning signal has been raised as of yesterday afternoon.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Isang was spotted some 280 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, packing winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and is forecast to move northwest at 19 kph.

Isang is predicted to be 360 kms east-southeast of Aparri, Cagayan this morning; 160 kms north of Aparri or 90 kms south-southeast of Basco, Batanes tomorrow morning; and 270 kms northwest of Basco by Saturday morning.

Quitlong said the weather disturbance would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over the western section of Southern Luzon in the next few days.

He said the low-pressure area (LPA) spotted at 440 kms west of Dagupan, Pangasinan would also bring rains over some parts of Luzon.

Although there is a possibility that the LPA would intensify into a tropical cyclone, it is unlikely to directly hit any part of the country, according to Quitlong.

He said the LPA is forecast to move towards the South China Sea or Southern Taiwan in the next 24 hours.

Pagasa said the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon and Western Visayas would have rough to very rough seas due to the surge of the southwest monsoon.

“Fishing boats and other small sea craft are advised not to venture out to sea while larger vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said.

Isang is the ninth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, and the third weather disturbance to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in less than a week.

Tropical cyclones “Gorio” and “Huaning” entered the country last week but did not cause significant damage.