'Mirasol' makes landfall in Isabela; Signal No. 1 up
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Mirasol has made landfall and is now traversing Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said on Wednesday, September 17.
As of 7 a.m., the storm's center was estimated to be near San Agustin, Isabela, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph), gusts up to 90 kph, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph. It has strong winds extending up to 200 kilometers from its center.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect for several areas in Luzon, with strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph expected.
Areas under Signal No. 1
- Batanes
- Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands)
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Aurora (northern and central portions): Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet (northern and eastern portion): Bakun, Mankayan, Kabayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
PAGASA warns that Mirasol is likely to intensify into a tropical storm once it re-emerges over the Luzon Strait, which could lead to TCWS No. 2 being raised in parts of Northern Luzon.
The state weather bureau also said that the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” will bring strong to gale-force gusts to several regions, including Southern Quezon, Camarines Norte and various parts of the Mindoro provinces and Palawan on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sea conditions are expected to be rough, with waves up to 3.0 meters along the eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan and the seaboard of Isabela. Mariners of small vessels are advised to take precautions.
Mirasol is forecast to continue its north-northwestward movement before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday morning or afternoon, September 17. PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility of the storm intensifying further into a severe tropical storm.
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