PAGASA SAYS

Henry slightly intensifies; storm signals possible within Thursday

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) may be hoisted in Extreme Northern Luzon within the day as Super Typhoon Henry slightly intensified while moving south southwestward northeast of Batanes, PAGASA said Thursday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the highest wind signal that could be hoisted in the Extreme Northern Luzon is Signal No. 2.

"Due to the forecast expansion in the extent of tropical cyclone winds associated with Super Typhoon HENRY, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) may be hoisted for localities in Extreme Northern Luzon by today at the earliest in anticipation of potential strong breeze to near gale conditions," it said.

"The potential for hoisting a Wind Signal No. 2 is also not ruled out," PAGASA added.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be possible over Batanes on late Thursday afternoon to evening.

Batanes ready

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Ceasar Roldan Esdicul said relief goods are ready to be distributed to possible victims of Henry.

“Ang family food packs ay nandito na po sa atin. Meron pong 5,000 na family food packs na nandito na nakarating na [Family food packs are already here. We have 5,000 food packs that already arrived],” he said.

“At 'yan ay nasa Itbayat na 'yung iba at nasa ibang munisipyo na yung iba. At nasa ating warehouse sa logistics hub yung iba para handa na pong ipamigay in case na kailangan po,” he added.

(These food packs are in Itbayat and some of them are in other municipalities. Some food packs are in our warehouse in logistics hubs so we are ready to distribute them if needed.)

Esdicul said local government units and concerned national agencies were directed to remind affected residents to prepare for Henry.

According to him, most of the landslide-prone areas in the province are along national roads and only few are in residential areas. He said flooding is possible in areas near creeks.

Habagat, hazards 

PAGASA said Henry is also forecast to enhance the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, which may bring rains over the western section of Luzon beginning Friday.

Due to Henry, a gale warning is in effect in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon.

For the next 24 hours, Henry may bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Isabela (1.2 to 4.0 m), which may be risky for those using small seacraft. Mariners are thus advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and if possible, avoid navigation.

PAGASA said Henry is forecast to continue moving generally south southwestward on Thursday through Friday early morning while decelerating.Based on the forecast track, it may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the eye of Henry was estimated based on all available data at 430 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (22.2°N, 125.7°E) packing maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 240 km/h, and central pressure of 920 hPa.

Henry is moving south southwestward at 25 km/h, PAGASA said.

Gardo

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Gardo had weakened into a remnant low at 8 a.m. on Thursday. It is now unlikely for it to directly affect the weather and sea conditions in the country.

PAGASA said the circulation of the remnant low will likely be fully assimilated within the circulation of Henry in the next 12 hours.

As of 10 a.m., the Low Pressure Area, formerly Gardo, was estimated based on all available data at 760 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (24.1°N, 128.3°E). It has a central pressure of 998 hPa and is moving westward at 35 km/h. —with Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News