As tropical cyclone Florita intensifies into a Tropical Storm, four areas were hoisted under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 on Monday, August 22 — same day as the start of the School Year 2022-2023.
In its weather bulletin report, PAGASA said Tropical Storm Florita was spotted 215 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 90 kph. It continues to move west southwestward at 15 kph
Based on PAGASA's forecast track, Florita is expected to make landfall either in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Tuesday afternoon.
"On the forecast track, the tropical cyclone is forecast to maintain this heading until it makes landfall in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela tomorrow afternoon," the state weather burea said.
The following areas were also placed under Signal No. 2:
- the eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Santa Ana),
- the eastern portion of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Dinapigue),
- the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), and
- the northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela)
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 were also hoisted in the following areas:
- the rest of Cagayan,
- the rest of Isabela,
- the rest of Quirino,
- Nueva Vizcaya,
- Apayao,
- Abra,
- Kalinga,
- Mountain Province,
- Ifugao,
- Benguet,
- La Union,
- Ilocos Norte,
- Ilocos Sur,
- the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis), and
- the northern portion of Polillo Island (Panukulan, Burdeos)
According to PAGASA, Florita may further intensify before its expected landfall.
"Further intensification is likely prior to its landfall. There is a potential for slight weakening as FLORITA crosses the northern portion of Northern Luzon due to frictional effects of the rugged terrain, but the tropical cyclone will likely remain Tropical Storm throughout the passage over land," it said.
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Following this, Cagayan governor Manuel Mamba announced the cancellation of classes in the province for elementary students on Monday.
Classes in all levels in both public and private schools were also canceled in Tuguegarao City.
