TS ‘Luis’ gathers strength as it moves towards Cagayan, Isabela

Photo courtesy of DOST PAGASA Facebook page

MANILA — Tropical Storm “Luis” intensified while moving towards Cagayan-Isabela area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m. the center of tropical storm “Luis” was located at 456 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes (14.6°N, 128.4°E).

TS “Luis” increase its strength from 75 kilometer per hour (kph) on Saturday morning to 95 kph before noon while its gustiness from 90 kph to 120 kph.

It added it continues to move west northwest at 17 kph.

According to PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura, if it maintains its speed and movement, tropical storm “Luis” is expected to make landfall in Isabela province by Monday evening.

He also said since it is still in the sea it may yet intensify into typhoon category.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Quirino and Catanduanes are now under public storm warning signal No. 1 as winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours.

“Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said

The estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20 mm per hour (heavy-intense) within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Pura said with the combined effect of TS “Luis” and the southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon ad Palawan), Bicol Region and Visayas.

He added the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Mindanao, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA said that tropical storm Luis is forecast to be at 252 km north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by Sunday morning.

By Monday morning is expected to be at 27 km west-southwest of Tuguegarao City and Tuesday morning is to be at 421 km west-northwest of Laoag City.

The state weather bureau also advised fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to southwest monsoon enhanced by the tropical storm.