Parts of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands still under Signal No. 1 as Siony maintains strength

The northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands remained under Tropical Cyclone Winds Signal No. 1 as Tropical Storm Siony maintained its strength late Wednesday morning.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather forecasters PAGASA said Siony, which is expected to intensify into severe tropical storm between Wednesday and Thursday, is seen to move slowly or "remain almost stationary" in the next 12 hours.

"Afterwards, the tropical storm will move generally westward or west-northwestward towards the Luzon Strait and Extreme Northern Luzon," PAGASA said.

"This will bring the center of 'SIONY' over or very close to the Batanes and Babuyan Islands between tomorrow evening and Friday morning," it added.

According to PAGASA, 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)

"However, because intensification into typhoon category remains a potential scenario at this time, the possibility of hoisting TCWS #3 in areas near or along the projected track of the storm is not ruled out," PAGASA said.

Siony followed Super Typhoon Rolly, which barreled across Luzon over the weekend, displacing scores of people particularly in the Bicol Region. Disaster officials have so far reported 20 dead, 74 wounded, and three missing.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction on Management Council (NDRRMC), the casualties came from CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol region.

It said a total of 532,794 families or 2,083,222 individuals were affected by Rolly in Regions II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Rgion and the National Capital Region. Of that total number, 142,475 families or 517,172 people are being assisted in evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC also said 20 roads and six bridges are still not passable in Regions II, III, CALABARZON, Bicol and Cordillera Administrative Region.

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

Forecast

For Wednesday, PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Aurora, Quezon, and the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela due to the combined effects of the northeasterlies and the trough of Siony.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall in areas prone to these hazards.

These hazards can also happen in areas that experienced rainfall from tropical cyclones Pepito, Quinta, and Rolly.

Rough to very rough seas of up to 5.0 meters can be encountered 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).

These are due to the combined effects of Rolly and 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 of 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.

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

In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said 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.

At 10 a.m., Siony was located at 755 kilometers East of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour and gustiness of up to 105 km/h moving eastward slowly.

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