LPA turns into Tropical Depression Gener

MANILA, Philippines — Two tropical cyclones have developed and intensified inside and outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Tropical Depression Gener is forecast to make landfall near Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours and may exit PAR in the evening or tomorrow morning. It will arrive in southern China on Friday.

Gener may reach tropical storm category today or tomorrow over the West Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA senior weather specialist Glaiza Escullar.

Outside PAR, Tropical Storm Pulasan is expected to enter PAR today and exit tomorrow, and will be given the local name Helen.

“Pulasan is expected to enter the country just like Tropical Storm Ferdie, where it briefly entered PAR,” PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said yesterday at a press conference.

“Pulasan will not directly affect any part of the country but will enhance the southwest monsoon,” Escullar said.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 has been hoisted in Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real), including Polillo Islands.

“Those affected by heavy rains in the past four days include Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Negros Island region. We expect that Gener will bring strong rains as it will pass the mountainous areas in Northern Luzon,” Escullar said.

Heavy to intense rains are expected today in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ifugao, Aurora and Polillo Islands.

Moderate to heavy rains are forecast today in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Ilocos region and the rest of Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon.

Heavy to intense rains are expected tomorrow in Occidental Mindoro. Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Aklan, Antique, the rest of Mimaropa, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela and Apayao will experience moderate to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, localized class suspensions in 43 barangays located in flood-prone areas were implemented yesterday by the Quezon City government. Administrators of private schools and tertiary institutions were given the discretion to suspend classes.

As of yesterday, 1,062 stranded passengers in various ports in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas were reported due to rains resulting in bad sea conditions, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Sea travel has been temporarily suspended. — Janvic Mateo, Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano