'Gener' intensifies into storm

Manila, Philippines -  Tropical depression “Gener” intensified yesterday into a storm as the weather bureau placed five areas under public storm warning signal No.1.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised signal No. 1 over Isabela, Cagayan, and the Calayan, Babuyan and Batanes groups of islands.

Forecaster Rene Paciente said the storm would likely not make landfall but merely brush along coastlines of Luzon.

Paciente said people living in low-lying areas and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Gener’s estimated rainfall is between 10 to 25 millimeters per hour and is expected to bring heavy to intense rains within its 500-kilometer diameter.

The storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and would bring rains over Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, especially the western section.

PAGASA reported that the storm was moving north-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). Its center was located 250 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

PAGASA said by this afternoon, Gener would be 290 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.