Isang exits Phl; weather to improve today

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression Isang (international name Cimaron) intensified into a storm yesterday but it has moved away from the Philippine area of responsibility, the state weather agency said.

Anthony Lucero, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), also said improving weather condition is expected over Northern Luzon beginning today.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal number 1 remained up in Ilocos Norte, Calayan, Babuyan group of islands and Batanes group of islands.

PAGASA said the storm made landfall over Estagno Point in Isabela before 4 a.m. and Bulos Point, in Lal-lo, Cagayan at 5:10 a.m. yesterday.

Isang was spotted at 210 kilometers northwest of Aparri, Cagayan at 4 p.m., packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was forecast to move northwest at 22 kph.

Isang was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility last night and move towards southern Taiwan. It was also predicted to be at 700 km northwest of Aparri this afternoon.

But PAGASA said Isang will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas.

PAGASA continued to warn residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal no. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides as the storm could still bring moderate to heavy rains (five to 15 millimeters per hour) within its 300-km radius.

Lucero also said the potential low-pressure area off the West Philippine Sea has a slim chance of intensifying as its clouds are being pulled by Isang.

Isang may also affect rivers and other water systems in 29 provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned yesterday.

In an advisory, the NDRRMC said Isang could affect watercourses in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Mindanao.

In Calabarzon, affected are water systems in Lian, Banabang-Molino, Pansipit, Kapumpong, Rosario-Lobo, Upper Bolbok and Lawaya in Batangas; Laboc (Balsahan), Canas, Ilang-ilang and Imus in Cavite; Sta. Maria, Pagsanjan, Pila-Sta. Cruz, San Juan and San Cristobal in Laguna; Upper Umiray, Lower Bolbok (Lawaya), Malaking Ilog, Iyam, Macalelon, Catanauan, Silongin Lagda, Pagsanjan, Yabahaan, Bigol, Guinhalinan, Vinas, Calauag, Pandanan, Sta. Lucia, Lugan, Malaybalay, Maapon, Bucal, Lakayat, Tignoan, Agos, Anibawan (Polilo Island), Upper Kibay and Catabangan in Quezon; and Upper Marikina and Kaliwa in Rizal.

In Mimaropa region, the rivers and tributaries likely to be affected are Tawiran-Tagum and Boac in Marinduque; Abra de Ilog, Cagaray, Labangan, Magbando, Lunintao, Anahawin, Monpong, Amnay, Pola, Pagbahan, Mamburao and Ibod in Mindoro Occidental; Malaylay-Baco, Pulang Tubig, Mag-asawang Tubig, Butas, Pula, Agsalin, Bansud, Samagui, Bongabon, Baroc, Bulalacao and Balete in Mindoro Oriental; Abongan, Lian, Barabakan, Rizal, Caramay, Langonan, Babuyan, Bacungan, Iwahig Aramayawan, Iwahig, Panitian, Pulot, Lamakan, Kinlugan, Eraan, Tiga-Plan, Malabangan, Ilog, Bansang, Conduaga, Iwahig (Brooks), Okayan, Canipan and Busuanga (Coron) in Palawan.

– With Alexis Romero