‘Hanna’ to hit northern Luzon

Government weather forecasters yesterday warned the public, particularly in northern and central Luzon, against landslides and flashfloods that could be triggered by heavy rains brought by tropical storm “Hanna.”

Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said Hanna is expected to directly hit Isabela and Quirino area this afternoon, based on its present speed and direction.

“This is the eighth and most likely the very first tropical cyclone to make landfall in the country this year,” Cruz said in a press briefing at the Pagasa’s Weather and Flood Forecasting Center in Quezon City.

He said Hanna is likely to gain strength while it is still over the Philippine seas; however, he said this might not reach super typhoon intensity as it is already near landmass of northern Luzon.

Hanna intensified from a depression to a storm yesterday afternoon.

Pagasa hoisted public storm signal no. 2 over Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, and northern Quezon, including Pollilio Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Signal no. 1 was raised over Cagayan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, the rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Burias Island, Albay, Sorsogon and Metro Manila.  

Cruz said there is high probability for flashfloods and landslides not only in affected areas but also in other parts of the country.

“Hanna will cross the landmass of northern Luzon tomorrow and will bring moderate to heavy rain over the area, particularly Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern Quezon, Ifugao, Cagayan, Benguet, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, Kalinga Apayao and Abra. It will also bring rains over the western side of Visayas and Mindanao,” Cruz said.

Cruz said the impact of the prevailing weak La Niña in the country will already be experienced in some parts of the country, bringing above normal rainfall.

Pagasa deputy director for operations and services Dr. Prisco Nilo warned fishermen not to venture into the sea today.

Nilo said Metro Manila and nearby provinces would receive moderate to heavy rains this morning until tomorrow afternoon.  

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of the storm was spotted at 230 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 380 kms southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It was forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph.

Hanna is expected to be at 60 kms west of Casiguran, Aurora or 60 kms north of Baler, Aurora this afternoon and at 380 kms west of Baguio City or 340 kms west-northwest of Iba, Zambales by tomorrow afternoon.

By Monday afternoon, it will be at 780 kms west of Iba, Zambales.

Hanna is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow. However, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao.