Weather bureau PAGASA has hoisted tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 over Catanduanes Tuesday as tropical storm Kristine continues to maintain its strength over the Philippine Sea east of Bicol region.

As of 10 a.m., the center of tropical storm Kristine was estimated based on all available data at 335 km East of Virac, Catanduanes.

Kristine intensifies into a tropical storm; Signal no. 1 in 24 provinces

PAGASA warned there is a “moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan.”

Packing 65 kph winds and gusts of up to 80 kph, Kristine is forecast to move generally northwestward until it makes landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. It will then cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the waters west of Ilocos Region on Thursday afternoon or evening.

PAGASA said Kristine is forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall.

TCWS no. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

Luzon

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Masbate including Ticao Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, Romblon, and, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon

Visayas

Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao - Bucas Grande Group

Bohol streets flooded, classes suspended due to Kristine

PAGASA said northeasterly windflow will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

Today (22 October): Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

Tomorrow (23 October): MIMAROPA, Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA has also hoisted a gale warning over the eastern seaboard of Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

• Up to 7.0 m: The seaboard of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and the northern and eastern seaboards of Camarines Sur

• Up to 6.0 m: The seaboard of northern Aurora, Polillo Islands, and Ilocos Norte

Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.