MANILA – Tropical Depression ‘Gener’ made landfall in Isabela on Monday night (16 Sept 2024) and is currently traversing northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 4:00 AM Tuesday (17 Sept 2024), PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja reported that ‘Gener’ was located near Alicia, Isabela. The storm carries winds of up to 55 km/h and gusts reaching 70 km/h, moving westward at 30 km/h.

Areas Affected

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over several regions, including Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Metro Manila (Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Marikina, Manila, San Juan, and Mandaluyong). Other affected areas span across northern Luzon, Central Luzon, and parts of southern Luzon, including Aurora, Rizal, and Quezon.

The storm, along with the southwest monsoon it enhances, is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Mountain Province, and other parts of northern and central Luzon, as well as portions of Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental. Moderate to heavy rains are also forecast across a wider area, including the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Impacts and Warnings

Areas under TCWS No. 1 may experience minimal to minor wind damage. Strong winds will prevail across Batanes, Mimaropa, Bicol, Visayas, and Mindanao due to the southwest monsoon, further intensified by ‘Gener’ and Tropical Storm ‘Pulasan’ (currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility).

By Tuesday, ‘Gener’ is expected to move over the coastal waters of Ilocos Sur or La Union, eventually heading toward southern China later in the week.

Class Suspensions

With Metro Manila under Signal No. 1, several cities, including Manila, Quezon City, and Caloocan, have suspended both in-person and online classes for Kindergarten to Grade 12 in public and private schools. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna affirmed the decision based on the Department of Education’s automatic class suspension policy for areas under storm signals.

Make-up classes will be scheduled, and schools are advised to send home students who may have arrived before the storm signal was raised.

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