Kiyapo gains speed; Signal No. 1 hoisted over 14 areas

Tropical Depression Kiyapo picked up speed as it went northwest, according to PAGASA on Thursday, with more areas now under Signal No. 1.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)
• Northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Ambaguio, Villaverde, Quezon, Solano)
• Northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun, Aglipay)
• Northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun, Kibungan)

As of 4 p.m., the center of Kiyapo was located 640 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. It was moving northwestward at 30 km/.

State meteorologists forecast Kiyapo to intensify into a tropical storm on Friday.

The cyclone is expected to pass very close to the northeastern coast of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon, with a possible landfall over the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.

Kiyapo is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kiyapo will bring rains and gusty winds over Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Aurora within the next 24 hours.

The weather disturbance will also cause cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the rest of the Ilocos Region, the rest of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Romblon.

The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) will affect the rest of the country.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough coastal waters are expected over Mindanao and Palawan.

The rest of the country will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas. —VBL, GMA News