MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 2 – 11:48 a.m.) Tropical storm “Jolina” slightly accelerated and strengthened late Saturday morning, August 26, as it left the Luzon landmass on its way out of the country later at night.
At 10 a.m., the storm was tracked 120 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 95 kph as it moved west-northwest at 24 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning signals were lowered, with only the following provinces remaining under signal No. 1, meaning winds of 30-60 kph are expected in 36 hours:
- Ilocos Sur
- Ilocos Norte
- La Union
- Abra
But the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned of possible flashfloods and landslides, not only in these provinces but also the rest of Luzon with monsoon rains forecast over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, and light to moderate with possible occasionally heavy rains due to thunderstorms over the rest of the island.
Rainfall is expected to be moderate to heavy within Jolina’s 300-km diameter.
Jolina made landfall in Aurora past 8 p.m. Friday, plunging the northern part of the province into darkness as it cut power to the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag.
In Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet, classes on all levels were suspended at all campuses of Saint Louis University, the University of Baguio, University of the Philippines Baguio, and Kings Colleges.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Mountain Province reported that torrential rains had swollen the Chico River and advised people to stay away from the waterway until the waters recede.
But the Department of Public Works and Highways and Mountain Province District Engineer’s Office announced that all roads and bridges are open to traffic, including Kennon Road, which was closed to traffic as a precaution Friday night.
Despite Kennon’s reopening, authorities still urged motorists to take the Marcos Highway and Naguillan Road as a safety measure.
Monsoon rains are forecast for Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro and Palawan.
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and possible occasionally heavy rains, gusty winds and lightning due to thunderstorms will be experienced in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
The rest of the country can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light to occasionally heavy rains, gusty winds and lightning.
