Liwayway further intensifies; Batanes still under Signal No. 1

Severe Tropical Storm Liwayway continued to intensify on Tuesday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Signal No. 1 is still raised over Batanes. Residents of the province were advised to take precautionary measures against potentially strong winds.

PAGASA added that light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains are expected over Batanes and Babuyan Islands until Wednesday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., Liwayway was located 225 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

Liwayway is moving north at 15 kph, PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said it is not expected to make landfall and is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility as a typhoon between late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is expected to bring scattered light to moderate rains with at times heavy rain showers over Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, northern portions of Palawan (including Calamian Islands), Mindoro Provinces, and rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.

Residents of these areas have been advised to prepare for possible flash floods and landslides.

PAGASA also warned that maritime travel is risky over the seaboards of Luzon as waves may get rough. — RSJ, GMA News