13 areas under Signal No. 1 as Kiyapo heads east of Northern Luzon

Tropical Depression Kiyapo slightly accelerates as it heads northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, according to PAGASA's 11 am advisory.

Kiyapo was last spotted 830 km East of Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa.

Signal No. 1 has been raised in the following areas:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga,
• the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Sadanga, Bontoc, Besao, Sagada)
• the eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut)
• Ilocos Norte
• the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente)
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
• the northern portion of Quirino (Aglipay, Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun)
• the northernmost portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi)

"KIYAPO will gradually intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category tomorrow. It will continue to strengthen while traversing the Extreme Northern Luzon," PAGASA said.

"The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of KIYAPO is Wind Signal No. 2. However, the hoisting of Wind Signal No.3 is not ruled out should KIYAPO intensify into a severe tropical storm while traversing the area of Batanes-Babuyan Islands," it added.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and the periphery of KIYAPO will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):

• Today: Most of Mindanao, Siquijor, Bohol, and Southern Leyte

• Tomorrow (24 July): Most of the country.

• Saturday (25 July): Most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Dinagat Islands

"KIYAPO will continue moving west northwestward until Saturday (25 July) towards the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward for the remaining of the forecast period," PAGASA said.

Kiyapos is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or noon. —VAL, GMA News