MANILA — State weather forecasters placed several areas in Northern Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Thursday as Tropical Depression Kiyapo continued to move west-northwest while maintaining its current strength.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the tropical cyclone was estimated at 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 4 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts reaching 55 kph. It was traveling west-northwest at 20 kph.
Signal No. 1 covers Batanes, Cagayan (including the Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, northern Ilocos Sur, parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao, as well as northern Aurora, where residents may experience strong winds.
PAGASA said the storm’s outer circulation, combined with the southwest monsoon, will also generate strong to gale-force gusts across Siquijor, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and wide areas of Mindanao.
Sea travel remains risky along the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental, where rough seas are expected. The weather bureau urged operators of small vessels and motorized bancas to remain in port until conditions improve.
The tropical depression is expected to bring heavy rainfall over Cagayan, Batanes, Apayao, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, and Ilocos Norte, while the enhanced southwest monsoon will produce moderate to heavy rains across portions of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Negros Oriental, Lanao provinces, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.
Forecasters said Kiyapo is expected to intensify into a tropical storm by Friday and is projected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday.
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