The latest storm information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that at 4:00 a.m. on October 23, the center of storm Kristine (Tra Mi) was at about 15.1 degrees north latitude, 124.8 degrees east longitude, 340km east of Infanta, Quezon, and 180km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.
The strongest wind near the storm center is 85 km/h, gusting up to 105 km/h, central pressure 985 hPa.
The storm is moving west-northwest at 25 km/h. Strong winds extend out to 850 km from the center of the storm.
PAGASA warned of rising sea levels with waves of up to 8 meters in the coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
Waves up to 7m high were recorded on the coasts of La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, northern Aurora, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and the northern and eastern coasts of Camarines Sur.
Over the next 24 hours, Storm Kristine is expected to move northwest before turning west for the remainder of the forecast period.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Isabela or north of Aurora this evening or early tomorrow morning (October 24). It will then cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the western seas of the Ilocos region tomorrow afternoon. Kristine may exit the Philippine Forecast Area (PAR) by Friday (October 25).
The storm is forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall. It will weaken slightly as it passes over northern Luzon but could re-intensify over the South China Sea.
Although it has not yet made landfall, Typhoon Kristine has caused severe flooding, landslides, and power outages in many areas of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, forcing thousands to flee their homes, disrupting sea travel, and stranding hundreds of passengers and ships at seaports. School, work, and business activities have also been disrupted.
Disaster response officials warned that the situation could worsen as the full impact of the storm has yet to be felt in the localities where the storm is expected to make landfall - in Isabela on October 23 or in Aurora on October 24.
As of noon on October 22, heavy rains caused by Typhoon Kristine have caused flooding in some localities in Luzon; Leyte and Samar provinces in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.
In Maguindanao province alone, some 300,000 families had to be moved to shelters on October 22 after days of rain flooded most villages.
Power outages in Eastern Visayas have affected some areas in Samar.
By late afternoon on October 22, Albay province and Magpet town in Cotabato had declared a state of calamity to quickly respond to the needs of residents who had to evacuate and clear roads affected by landslides and floods.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla advised local authorities in Luzon to suspend classes at all levels on October 23 to prepare for the impact of unusual weather.
The Philippines' agriculture sector could also suffer another blow as the Department of Agriculture estimates that Typhoon Kristine could damage more than 1 million hectares of farmland, mostly rice fields.
