Ineng makes landfall in Taiwan; Signal No. 2 still up in Batanes

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over Batanes on Saturday afternoon even as Severe Tropical Storm Ineng made landfall in Taiwan at 2 p.m.

As of PAGASA's 5 p.m. advisory, TCWS over Ilocos Norte, Apayao and mainland Cagayan have been lifted but TCWS No. 1 remains hoisted over Babuyan Islands.

Severe Tropical Storm Ineng is still within the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was expected exit later in the afternoon.

In the mean time, residents in Batanes and Babuyan Islands are still warned against strong winds associated with the storm.

Moreover, PAGASA said occasional gusty conditions will prevail over most of Luzon due to the Southwest Monsoon.

Its latest forecast indicated that moderate to heavy rains will continue to affect Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, northern portion of Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Zambales and Bataan.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Mindoro Provinces, northern portion of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), and the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

As of 4 p.m., Ineng was 275 kilometers north-northwest of Basco, Batanes.

It maintained strength with maximum winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, but appeared to be moving slower at a speed of 20 kph.

Residents in affected areas, especially those in places tagged a highly or very highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides, are advised to take appropriate actions, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News