Obet has Signal No. 1 up over Batanes, Babuyan, parts of Cagayan

Storm Signal No. 1 is still in effect over three areas as Tropical Depression Obet continued moving westward while maintaining its strength, PAGASA said Thursday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Signal No. 1 is still raised over:

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

These areas have strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours. Winds may also result in minimal to minor threat to life and property.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Obet was estimated at 650 km east of Basco, Batanes.

It had maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. 

At present, Obet is moving westward at 15 km/h.

It also has strong winds that extend outwards up to 220 km from the center.

From Friday early morning to Saturday morning, PAGASA said moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are possible over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of Ilocos Norte and mainland.

PAGASA said scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur in areas prone to these hazards.

Prior to the arrival of tropical cyclone rainfall, the shear line may bring at times heavy rains over Cagayan and Isabela in the next, it added.

During the passage of Obet, PAGASA said that strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) may be experienced within any of the areas where Signal No. 1 is hoisted.

Moreover, the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 2.

The prevailing northeasterly surface windflow meanwhile will continue to bring strong to gale-force winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in the next 24 hours prior to onset of tropical cyclone winds.

Marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon under the influence of the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow, the state weather bureau said.

The combined effects of the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow and the approaching tropical cyclone may also bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Central Luzon (1.5 to 3.5 m) and the western and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 m).

These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions, PAGASA added.

According to PAGASA, Obet is expected to track west southwestward on Thursday evening or Friday early morning while accelerating before turning westward towards Luzon Strait.

On the track forecast, the center of Obet may traverse the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area between tomorrow evening and Saturday morning.

PAGASA said Obet may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

“Obet is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or on Saturday early morning (i.e., during its passage over Extreme Northern Luzon),” it said.

“Further intensification is likely once Obet reaches the West Philippine Sea,” it added. —NB/VBL, GMA News