Tropical Depression Gener slightly intensifies, Signal No. 1 raised over 19 areas

Tropical Depression Gener has intensified slightly, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 19 areas in Luzon, including Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real) including Polillo Islands.

The tropical depression is moving northwestward at 10 kph and is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours.

Gener may likely emerge over the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan by Tuesday morning.

PAGASA stated that Gener will likely cross the landmass of mainland Luzon as a tropical depression, though the possibility of reaching tropical storm category prior to landfall is not ruled out.

Heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Aurora from Monday noon to Tuesday noon.

Gener has also enhanced the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is expected to bring strong winds to Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Davao Region.

A gale warning is in effect over several coastal waters in the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Visayas, and the western, northern, and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.