‘Jolina’ intensifies; 7 areas under storm signal 1

STORM signal number 1 was hoisted over several areas in the country as Tropical Depression “Jolina” slightly intensified Monday morning, September 6, as it moved westward over the Philippine Sea.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, the center of Jolina was located at 205 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, or 230 kilometers east northeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

It was packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

The tropical depression was moving westward at 15 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 was hoisted over Sorsogon in Luzon; Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar provinces in the Visayas; and Dinagat Islands, Siargao Islands, and Bucas Grande Islands in Mindanao.

Pagasa said that based on the forecast track, Jolina will move generally northwestward parallel to the east coast of the country until it makes landfall over Northern Luzon by Thursday morning, September 9.

“Then it will move westward while traversing over Northern Luzon and may re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Thursday evening,” it said.

The tropical depression was also forecast to intensify into a tropical storm by September 8 prior to its landfall over Northern Luzon. It will then weaken into a tropical depression as it moves over the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon.

Jolina was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by September 10.

Pagasa said that in the next 24 hours, Jolina may bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

“Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Northern Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, and the rest of Eastern Visayas,” it added.

Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, the weather bureau said.

Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) with occasional gusts, meanwhile, will be experienced in areas under TCWS Number 1.

The tropical depression was also forecast to bring moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 meters) over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, Pagasa added.

Pagasa said that given that Jolina may likely intensify into tropical storm before landfall, the highest possible TCWS that will be raised throughout its passage will be TCWS Number 2. (LMY)