'Isang' makes 2 landfalls; signal #1 up in 14 areas

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression "Isang" made landfall in Isabela and Cagayan provinces on Wednesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The ninth tropical storm to enter the Philippines this year made landfall in Estagno Point in Isabela around 4 a.m. and made another landfall in Lallo, Cagayan around 5:10 a.m., PAGASA forecaster Alvin Pura said in a report by the Philippine News Agency.

Pura added that Isang is still expected to make landfall in areas of Batanes.

In its latest update at 7 a.m., PAGASA said Isang was spotted at 50 kilometers East Northeast of Appari, Cagayan.

Based on PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin, Isang is packed with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center. It is projected to move northwest at 15 kph.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 is hoisted over 14 provinces in northern Luzon: Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands and Batanes Group of Islands.

PAGASA said Isang will enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas.

The agency advised residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 1 to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (five to 15 millimeters) is expected within the 300-km diameter of the tropical depression.

Isang is expected to be at 160 km of West of Basco, Batanes by Thursday morning and 380 km of northwest of the same area by Friday morning.