TROPICAL Storm Jolina is expected to make landfall over the province of Aurora between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, August 25, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Jolina (international name: Pakhar) was located at 110 kilometers (km) south southeast of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 p.m., Friday.
Pagasa said Jolina has maximum sustained winds of 80 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 95 kph and is expected to move west northwest at 19 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 2 has been raised over Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Abra, La Union, and Nueva Vizcaya. These provinces are expected to experience 61-120-kph winds in the next 24 hours.
Signal Number 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in 36 hours) was also raised over Cagayan including Babuyan group of islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, northern Quezon including Polillo island, and Camarines Norte.
Pagasa said moderate to occasionally heavy rains is expected over most parts of Luzon beginning on Friday night.
Pagasa added residents in these areas, especially those under Signals Number 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
"Rain from 'Jolina' can trigger landslides, particularly in the Northern Luzon-Central Luzon area's mountainous portions left saturated by precipitation of severe Tropical Storm 'Isang' (international name 'Hato') earlier," weather forecaster Nikos Peñaranda said, warning that rains could cause some waterways in the region to overflow and result in floods.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad reminded the public to stay alert and continue monitoring weather updates and advisories via television, radio, and social media, and heed the advice of local officials.
"Everyone is strongly encouraged to stay at home and postpone any leisure and tourist activities especially in northern Luzon until the tropical storm has ceased," he said. (VoxPop Philippines/With PNA)