Crising steadily moving away from PH; areas under Signal No. 2 down to 5

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha) continues to move farther away from the country, as the number of areas in Northern Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is down from eight to five, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)

In its 5:00 a.m. update, Pagasa said that Crising was last spotted some  125 kilometers (kms.) west-northwest of Calayan, Cagayan.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Crising | INQUIRER.net

It maintained its maximum sustained wind speed of 85 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph while moving west- northwest at 15 kph.

“Tropical Storm Crising will continue moving generally west-northwestward towards southern China and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility [on Saturday] morning or early afternoon,” Pagasa said.

“Crising is forecast to continue to intensify and may reach Severe Tropical Storm category today,” the agency added.

Areas still under TCWS No. 2

(gale-force 62 kph up to 88 kph in speed expected within 24 hours) are as follows:

-Batanes

– Northern portion of Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Allacapan, Lal-Lo, Lasam, Rizal, Santo Niño, Gattaran, Alcala) including Babuyan Islands

-Ilocos Norte

– Northern and central portions of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna, Pudtol, Kabugao, Flora, Santa Marcela)

– Northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan)

Areas under TCWS Signal No. 1

(strong winds 39 to 61 kph in speed expected within 36 hours):

-Rest of Cagayan

– Northern portion of Isabela (Mallig, Divilacan, Quirino, Gamu, Ilagan City, Burgos, San Manuel, Roxas, San Mateo, Aurora, Luna, Cabatuan, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon, Cabagan, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Santo Tomas)

– Rest of Apayao

– Rest of Abra

– Kalinga

-Mountain Province

-Ifugao

– Northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kabayan, Atok, Kapangan),

-Ilocos Sur

– Northern portion of La Union (Bangar, Sudipen, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin) /gsg