As Tropical Depression ‘Paolo’ strengthens and approaches the Philippine land, PAGASA raised Wind Signal No. 1 over four areas in Catanduanes on Wednesday, October 1.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau last located Paolo about 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph.
The tropical depression is moving west-northwest at 25 kph and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday, October 3.
PAGASA hoisted Wind Signal No. 1 over Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga in Catanduanes, signaling winds of 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains anticipated within the next 36 hours.
Under the lowest wind signal, little to no infrastructure damage is expected. However, the state weather bureau urged residents to immediately inspect their homes for necessary repairs and clean up drainage systems to prevent possible flooding.
In its latest weather advisory, PAGASA also said that the tropical cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rain across several provinces in Northern Luzon from October 2 to October 3.
Rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters:
Cagayan
Isabela
Quirino
Aurora
Apayao
Abra
Benguet
Kalinga
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Nueva Vizcaya
Rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija
Tarlac
Zambales
Bataan
Paolo is expected to gain strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea, potentially intensifying into a severe tropical storm by early Friday, with Wind Signal No. 3 as the highest possible alert.