Signal No. 2 up in Itbayat as Typhoon Gorio nears Taiwan

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been raised over Itbayat, Batanes while the rest of Batanes remains under Signal No. 1 as Typhoon Gorio further intensified and moved closer to Taiwan, PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Gorio is expected to make landfall over the eastern coast of southern Taiwan this morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by late afternoon or evening. 

Signal No. 2 warns of minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds, while areas under Signal No. 1 may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds. 

PAGASA noted that winds could be slightly stronger in coastal and upland areas exposed to the prevailing wind direction.

As of 10 a.m., the typhoon was moving west-northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 150 kph. 

PAGASA said Gorio will likely remain a typhoon before making landfall in Taiwan and then gradually weaken as it moves inland.

Southwest monsoon effects

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts today over the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

While no storm surge warning has been issued, PAGASA said high waves near the coast may increase the risk of coastal flooding.

Hazardous sea conditions

A gale warning remains in effect over the seaboard of Extreme Northern Luzon. Very rough seas reaching up to 8.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes, making sea travel risky for all vessels. PAGASA urged all mariners to stay in port or seek shelter until conditions improve.

Rough seas of up to 3.5 meters will persist over the northern and eastern seaboards of the Babuyan Islands, while moderate seas of up to 2.0 to 2.5 meters are expected in other coastal waters of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and parts of Babuyan Islands. —VAL, GMA Integrated News