MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression “Mirasol” made landfall over Casiguran, Aurora and would re-emerge over the Luzon Strait as storm signals are still up over several Northern Luzon areas, the state-run weather agency said on Wednesday.
In its 5a.m. briefing, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 1 was still raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora and San Luis), Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern and eastern portions of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Kabayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Atok and Bokod), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Polillo Islands.
Moving northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), Mirasol has sustained winds of 55kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90kph, the latest bulletin said.
The national weather bureau said that Metro Manila, some parts of Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) would also be experiencing scattered rains and thunderstorms due to Mirasol.
Meanwhile, Pagasa Administrator Nathaniel Servando told The Manila Times that the weather agency was also closely monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) which has a medium chance of becoming another tropical depression within 24 hours.
It is, however, not known immediately if the LPA will enter PAR once it intensifies.
He also said that Signal No. 2 was possible over some portions of Northern Luzon when Mirasol re-emerges over the Luzon Strait.
Mirasol may exit the country Thursday morning or afternoon, Pagasa said.
