Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather branch chief Nathaniel Cruz, in a phone interview, said "Cosme" hit land at around 5 p.m. yesterday. Moving in a northeastern direction, it was expected to cross Northern Luzon area last night following the landfall, bringing heavy rains over the provinces in the area.

Floods and landslides were reported in North and Central Luzon provinces where it had been raining heavily since Thursday as "Cosme" approached from the southwest.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of tropical storm "Cosme" was located some 90 kilometers (kms) northnorthwest of Iba, Zambales, with winds at 105 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph while moving northeastward at a speed of 19 kph.

PAGASA said "Cosme" is expected to be 130 kms east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, by this afternoon; 660 kms east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, by Monday afternoon; and 780 kms east of Okinawa, Japan, by Tuesday afternoon.

Signal No. 3 was raised yesterday over Zambales, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union, Benguet, and Ilocos Sur, while signal No. 2 was up over Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Lubang Island, Pampanga, Aurora, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Northern Quezon, Isabela, Cagayan, Calayan Islands, Babuyan group of islands, and the Batanes group of islands.

Cruz said that after "Cosme" crosses Northern Luzon, "improving weather condition" may be expected in Northern as well as Central Luzon.

He said "Cosme" is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning.

Earlier, PAGASA Director Dr. Prisco Nilo said the public must prepare for an active typhoon season this year. The weather bureau is anticipating 20 tropical cyclones to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year.

Tropical storm "Cosme" is the second tropical cyclone for this month as well as the third for the year.

Floods, landslides

reported in 7

provinces in North

By FRANCO G. REGALA

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Seven provinces in Central Luzon have been hit by floods and landslides as strong winds swept the area starting Thursday.

Flood damage was reported in Pampanga, Bulacan, Aurora, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Tarlac.

Regional Disaster Coordinating Council 3 (RDCC3) head, Chief Supt. Errol T. Pan, Central Luzon police director, said that some of the flooded areas are in the low-lying areas of Pampanga, including the towns of Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao, Minalin, Candaba, Apalit, Macabebe, Sasmuan, Porac, Floridablanca, and Masantol, and the City of San Fernando where up to two feet of water was recorded.

Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, chairman of the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PPDCC), instructed the provincial engineer, rescue teams, and other agencies concerned with disaster preparedness to be ready to assist residents. especially the high-risk areas in Pampanga.

As of yesterday, heavy rains were experienced in Central Luzon but there was no massive evacuation or reports of casualties, the Pampanga PDCC said.

Some barangays in Bulacan were reported flooded, including those in Bocaue, Malolos, Plaridel, and Pulilan.

Some barangays of Olongapo City also experienced flooding, namely, Sta Rita, West Bajacbajac, and East Bajacbajac.

Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tarlac also suffered less severe floods. Aurora barangays reported loss of crops due to heavy rains.