Tropical Storm “Kristine” slightly intensified as of Wednesday (Oct. 23) morning, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also said the cyclone is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora either Wednesday or Thursday.

Kristine was last located at 340 kilometers (km) east of Infanta, Quezon or 180 km. north northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

“There is a moderate to significant risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, and Catanduanes,” PAGASA said.

There are also reports of Kristine causing weather disturbance as far as Mindanao.

Meanwhile, gale warning is hoisted over the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.

Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. PAGASA advised mariners to remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 2 is still hoisted over several areas across Luzon and the Visayas Kristine, the weather bureau said.

These areas include Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig), the north portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso), the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur (Calabanga, Goa, Tigaon, Sagñay, San Jose, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan), Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi, Manito, Santo Domingo) and the east portion of Sorsogon (Barcelona, Gubat, Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon).

Also under TCWS no. 2 that will experience gale-force winds are the northeastern portion of Northern Samar (Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, Laoang, Catubig, Lapinig, Pambujan, San Roque) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, San Policarpo, Arteche).

Strong winds will prevail in areas under signal no. 1: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Pampanga, the rest of Zambales, Bataan, the rest of Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, the rest of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, the rest of Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, and Calamian Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Guinaras, the northern portion of Negros Occidental (Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, San Enrique, Murcia, Silay City, City of Talisay, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, City of Victorias, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City), the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan), the northern and central portions of Cebu (Alcantara, Argao, Dumanjug, Sibonga, Pinamungahan, Ronda, Liloan, Cebu City, Moalboal, Consolacion, Danao City, Borbon, Carmen, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, City of Carcar, Mandaue City, Catmon, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Cordova, Compostela, San Remigio, Balamban, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Asturias, Barili, Medellin, Sogod, Tabuelan, City of Talisay) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Bohol, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande.

(PHOTO FROM PNA)