Signal No. 1 up over parts of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands as Siony moves closer to extreme northern Luzon

Tropical Cyclone Winds Signal No. 1 was raised over some portions of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands on Wednesday morning due to Tropical Storm Siony, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under Signal No. 1:

• northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)
• eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Balintang Island Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, and Camiguin Island including their adjoining islets)

Siony followed Super Typhoon Rolly, which barreled across Luzon over the weekend, displacing scores of people particularly in the Bicol Region. Disaster officials in the region have so far reported 19 dead but the number is expected to increase.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction on Management Council (NDRRMC), more than two million individuals have been affected by Rolly from Regions I, II, III, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, Cordillera Administrative Region and the National Capital Region.

In Catanduanes, one of the hardest hit provinces by Rolly, an entire coastal barangay was left homeless.

A total of 50 road sections and five bridges were affected by the flooding and landslide. Of that number, 37 roads and four bridges were still not passable as of Tuesday. 

Siony

Citing meteorological data, PAGASA said the highest wind signal to be raised due to Siony will be Tropical Cyclone Winds Signal No. 2.

“However, because intensification into typhoon category remains a potential scenario at this time, the possibility of hoisting Tropical Cyclone Winds Signal No. 3 in areas near or along the projected track of the storm is not ruled out,” it added.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela due to the combined effects of the northeasterlies and the trough of Siony.

Warnings up

PAGASA warned of possible flooding including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall in areas that are prone to these hazards as well as those places that experienced rainfall from tropical cyclones Pepito, Quinta, and Rolly.

In the next 24 hours, strong breeze to gale-force winds with higher gusts are expected over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern coastal areas of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte due to the northeasterlies enhanced by Rolly and Siony.

Rough to very rough seas up to 5.0 meters can be experienced over the entire seaboards of Northern Luzon, the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur, the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, and the seaboards of Aurora, Camarines Norte, Kalayaan Islands, and northern Quezon (including the northern and eastern coastal waters of Polillo Islands.

This is due to the combined effects of Rolly, Siony, and the enhanced northeasterlies, PAGASA said.

“Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for those using small seacrafts,” PAGASA warned.

Moderate to rough seas up to 2.5 m are expected over the western seaboard of Central Luzon, the eastern and western seaboards of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, according to PAGASA.

“Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions,” it added.

At 4 a.m., Siony is located at 700 kilometers East of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour and gustiness of up to 105 km/h, moving south southwestward slowly.

According to PAGASA, Siony will move slowly or remain almost stationary in the next 12 hours. Then, it will move westward or west-northwestward towards the Luzon Strait and extreme northern Luzon.

“This will bring the center of Siony over or very close to the Batanes and Babuyan Islands between tomorrow evening and Friday morning,” PAGASA said.

“As such, a landfall scenario over these localities remains likely,” it added.

Siony will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either on Friday afternoon or evening, PAGASA said.  --KBK, GMA News