Tropical Depression Isang hits Casiguran, raises storm signals over 16 Luzon provinces

Tropical Depression Isang made landfall over Casiguran, Aurora, on Friday morning, August 22, prompting storm signals to be raised over 16 provinces in Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Isang has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts up to 70 kph, moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.

Isang is expected to traverse Northern Luzon within the next 12 hours before exiting into the West Philippine Sea tonight or tomorrow morning, potentially strengthening into a tropical storm by Saturday (August 23) and may further intensify into a severe tropical storm while approaching south Hainan, China.

The southwest monsoon enhanced by Isang will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and parts of Mindanao.

Local governments have been advised to prepare for possible flooding, strong winds, and coastal hazards as PAGASA continues to monitor the situation.