Batanes under Signal No. 2 due to Henry

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised on Batanes island as Typhoon Henry weakened further while moving slowly northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said Friday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said gale-force winds will prevail or are expected within 24 hours in Batanes.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1, where strong winds are prevailing or expected within 36 hours, was raised in the following areas:

• Babuyan Islands
• the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

Henry entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as a super typhoon but weakened into typhoon level early Friday morning.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are likely over the Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Abra, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Cagayan.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan's Ivy Hernando on Unang Balita, many Batanes residents have placed window shutters in their homes in anticipation of Henry.

Farmers were advised to harvest their crops early and place their animals in a safe area.

Many residents of Aparri, Cagayan, have also fortified their houses against Henry's possible wrath.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has so far reported one fatality due to Henry.

According to the NDRRMC, a farmer in Mayoyao, Ifugao, was killed due to a landslide incident on Thursday. 

Weather forecast

According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon will bring rains to Isabela, western portion of Central Luzon, and the rest of Cordillera  Administrative Region in the next 24 hours.

A gale warning, meanwhile, is in effect for the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and eastern seaboard of Central Luzon under Henry's influence.

PAGASA said Henry may bring moderate to rough seas to the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 m) in the next 24 hours, 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 their navigation.

Henry is expected to continue moving slowly northwestward on Friday before it gradually accelerates northward.

Based on the forecast track, Henry may exit PAR on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the eye of Typhoon Henry was estimated based on all available data at 365 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.7°N, 125.2°E).

It has maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 205 km/h, and central pressure of 930 hPa, while moving northwestward slowly.—KBK, GMA News