NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Tropical Storm Crising Maintains Strength As It Tracks Near Cagayan, Heads Toward Babuyan Islands
Photo credit: DOST-PAGASA
Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) continues to move north-northwestward this evening, passing close to Santa Ana, Cagayan, while maintaining its strength. At 7:00 PM today, the storm’s center was located over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gusts reaching up to 105 km/h. Crising is moving at a speed of 20 km/h and is expected to intensify further into a severe tropical storm by late tomorrow or early Sunday as it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Strong to gale-force winds continue to extend outward up to 550 kilometers from the center, bringing widespread impacts to Northern and parts of Central Luzon. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and parts of Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Ilocos Sur. These areas can expect gale-force winds within the next 24 hours, with minor to moderate damage possible to exposed communities. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is up over surrounding provinces, including Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Aurora, and portions of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, which are likely to experience strong winds with minimal to minor damage.
Aside from winds, Crising is enhancing the Southwest Monsoon, which is bringing strong to gale-force gusts over much of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Residents in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, parts of the Visayas, and northern Mindanao are already experiencing enhanced monsoon conditions, with these conditions expected to persist through Sunday.
Heavy rainfall remains a serious concern, particularly in northern Luzon where localized flooding and landslides are possible. Storm surge of up to two meters is also expected within 24 hours in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Mariners are strongly advised to remain in port or seek shelter as very rough to rough seas prevail over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, with wave heights reaching as high as six meters in some areas. Sea travel remains risky, particularly for small vessels and motorbancas, not only in the northern seaboards but also along the western seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
Crising is forecast to continue tracking west-northwestward, making landfall or passing near the Babuyan Islands tonight, before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow. While the storm is expected to strengthen further, the primary hazards over land remain heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge, and dangerous sea conditions.
The public, particularly those in areas under tropical cyclone wind signals, as well as communities in coastal and mountainous regions, are urged to take all necessary precautions and heed the advice and evacuation directives of local authorities. For updated rainfall warnings, thunderstorm advisories, and region-specific information, continue to monitor the latest bulletins from PAGASA and local government units.
Strong to gale-force winds continue to extend outward up to 550 kilometers from the center, bringing widespread impacts to Northern and parts of Central Luzon. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and parts of Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Ilocos Sur. These areas can expect gale-force winds within the next 24 hours, with minor to moderate damage possible to exposed communities. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is up over surrounding provinces, including Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Aurora, and portions of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, which are likely to experience strong winds with minimal to minor damage.
Aside from winds, Crising is enhancing the Southwest Monsoon, which is bringing strong to gale-force gusts over much of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Residents in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, parts of the Visayas, and northern Mindanao are already experiencing enhanced monsoon conditions, with these conditions expected to persist through Sunday.
Heavy rainfall remains a serious concern, particularly in northern Luzon where localized flooding and landslides are possible. Storm surge of up to two meters is also expected within 24 hours in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Mariners are strongly advised to remain in port or seek shelter as very rough to rough seas prevail over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, with wave heights reaching as high as six meters in some areas. Sea travel remains risky, particularly for small vessels and motorbancas, not only in the northern seaboards but also along the western seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
Crising is forecast to continue tracking west-northwestward, making landfall or passing near the Babuyan Islands tonight, before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow. While the storm is expected to strengthen further, the primary hazards over land remain heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge, and dangerous sea conditions.
The public, particularly those in areas under tropical cyclone wind signals, as well as communities in coastal and mountainous regions, are urged to take all necessary precautions and heed the advice and evacuation directives of local authorities. For updated rainfall warnings, thunderstorm advisories, and region-specific information, continue to monitor the latest bulletins from PAGASA and local government units.
Jul 18, 2025
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