‘Gener’ intensifies; 7 areas warned

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – The state weather bureau on Saturday evening, July 28, placed 7 areas under Storm Warning Signal No. 1 due to tropical storm Gener, which intensified further as it moved toward extreme northern Luzon. 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed the following areas under Signal No. 1, based on its 11 p.m. update:

• Isabela
• Kalinga
• Apayao
• Cagayan
• Calayan Group of Islands
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Batanes Group of Islands

Gener will batter these areas with winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph), Pagasa said.

Pagasa located Gener’s center at 280 kilometers north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 330 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

Pagasa said Gener packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It moves at a north-northwest direction at 15 kph, with estimated rainfall at 10 to 25 millimeters per hour. This means there will be heavy to intense rains within Gener’s 500 km diameter.

Flash floods, landslides

Meanwhile, Pagasa has warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 against possible flash floods and landslides.

It also expects Gener to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rain over Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, especially the western section.

The state weather bureau sees Gener at 300 km north-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Sunday evening, 140 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes by Monday afternoon, and 470 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday afternoon.

Pagasa will issue another weather bulletin Sunday at 5 a.m.. – Rappler.com