Light to heavy rainfall likely in Northern Luzon as Neneng accelerates

Tropical Depression Neneng accelerated from east of Extreme Northern Luzon on Friday and may bring light to heavy rains to areas there on Saturday, according to the latest PAGASA bulletin.

“Tomorrow, light to moderate with at times heavy rains is likely over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Kalinga,” PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

Neneng, which has weakened slightly, was monitored at 835 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour and gustiness of up to 55 km/h, PAGASA said. It was moving west southwestward at 25 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No.1 may be raised Friday afternoon over the eastern portion of Northern Luzon in anticipation of winds of at least strong breeze to near gale strength due to Neneng.

According to PAGASA, TCWS Signal No. 2 is most likely the highest wind signal that will be raised.

Neneng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category by Saturday evening or early Sunday morning, PAGASA said.

It is seen to make landfall or may pass very close in Babuyan Islands or Batanes on Sunday, according to PAGASA.

The passage of Neneng on Sunday may bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, PAGASA said.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, it added.

PAGASA, meanwhile, warned of possible flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides in areas that are prone to these hazards as identified in hazard maps.

A marine gale warning is still in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon due to the surge of northeasterly surface windflow, PAGASA said.

In the next 24 hours, moderate to rough seas up to 3.5 meters are expected over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the surge of the northeasterly surface windflow and Neneng.

These conditions, PAGASA said, may be risky for those using small seacraft.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News