Paolo to trigger gale-force winds

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Storm Paolo (international name Matmo) has slightly intensified as it continues to move west-northwest over the Philippine Sea, prompting the state weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over several provinces in Northern and Central Luzon.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Paolo was located 480 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, or 480 km east of Baler, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

It was moving west-northwest at 15 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

TCWS No. 2, which indicates possible gale-force winds within 24 hours, is now hoisted over Isabela, northern Quirino, northern Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao and northern Aurora. Residents in these areas may experience minor to moderate threats to life and property due to strong winds.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is in effect over Cagayan, the rest of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, portions of Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, parts of Bulacan, Pampanga, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, northern Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

PAGASA warned that the highest wind signal likely to be raised during the storm’s passage is Signal No. 3, but in a worst-case scenario where Paolo intensifies into a typhoon before landfall, Signal No. 4 is not ruled out.

Heavy to intense rains of more than 200 millimeters are expected over Isabela, Quirino and Aurora today. Other parts of Northern and Central Luzon, as well as portions of Southern Luzon and Bicol, may also experience significant rainfall that could trigger flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas.

PAGASA also raised alarms over the risk of life-threatening storm surges of up to three meters in coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Gale warnings remain in effect over the eastern seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, where sea travel is considered risky to dangerous.

Paolo is projected to continue its west-northwest track and may make landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora this morning.

After crossing Luzon, it is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by the afternoon and could intensify into a typhoon before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow morning.

Authorities urged residents in areas under wind signals, flood-prone communities, and coastal villages to heed evacuation orders and prepare for possible disruptions.

Banks reopen

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that all banks in Masbate had resumed operations yesterday, days after tropical storm Opong battered the province.

Per the Masbate Bankers Association’s report, the BSP said some automated teller machines are still offline due to connectivity issues, but over-the-counter withdrawals and other transactions have resumed in the entire province.

It was previously announced by the BSP that its Legazpi branch has been meeting the cash requirements of banks in Masbate following the onslaught of the tropical storm.

Prior to the return of over-the-counter transactions, the central bank said alternative financial channels, such as money service businesses, continue to provide cash-out services to residents.