Signal No. 2 up over Itbayat, Batanes as Kiko brings heavy to intense rains

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over Itbayat in the northern part of Batanes on Sunday morning as Typhoon Kiko (international name: Chanthu) brings heavy to intense and at times torrential rains over the province, PAGASA said in its early morning bulletin.

This area have damaging gale-force to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours. Damage to structures and vegetation will be light to moderate.

TCWS No. 1 meanwhile was raised over the northern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Calayan Island, Panuitan Island) and the rest of Batanes. Strong winds are prevailing or are expected within 36 hours in these areas, which may cause very light damage to structures and vegetation.

All other TCWS previously raised over other areas were lifted.

Rainfall

Heavy to intense rainfall, at times torrential, will pour over Batanes in the next 24 hours.

The Babuyan Islands meanwhile will likely have moderate to heavy with at times intense rains.

PAGASA said flooding may occur (scattered to widespread, including flash floods), as well as rain-induced landslides especially in areas prone to these hazards.

Kiko will continue enhancing the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

Monsoon rains will thus be experienced in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the western section of Central Luzon in the next 24 hours.

The Southwest Monsoon will also bring over the next 24 hours occasional gusts, strong breezes and near gale-strength winds over the coastal and upland or mountain areas of Northern Luzon that are not under TCWS, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

Low-lying coastal localities of Batanes may have flooding due to high waves reaching the coast.

Coastal waters

The seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands will have rough to high seas (up to 6 meters) in the next 24 hours.

"Sea travel is risky for all types of sea vessels over these waters. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside," PAGASA said.

A gale warning was raised over the northern and western seaboards of Luzon that are not under any TCWS and the eastern seaboard of Cagayan, due to Kiko's enhancing of the Southwest Monsoon.

Location, track

At 4 a.m., Kiko's eye was located at 245 km north of Itbayat, Batanes or over the sea east of central Taiwan.

The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 215 km/h, and central pressure of 940 hPa.

Kiko slightly weakened and was moving northward at 15 km/h.

From its eye, strong winds or higher than that category extend outward up to 480 km. 

Kiko is expected to head generally northward over the sea east of Taiwan and the East China Sea.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday afternoon or evening.

Kiko is also seen to continue to weaken but will remain a typhoon.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary precautions.

The next weather bulletin will be issued at 11 a.m. —KG, GMA News