15 areas under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Kiyapo heads west-northwest

Fifteen areas in northern Luzon are under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Kiyapo continued to move west-northwestward while keeping its strength.

According to PAGASA's tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 11 p.m., the following areas are under Signal No. 1 –

1. Batanes,
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands,
3. Isabela,
4. Nueva Vizcaya,
5. Quirino,
6. Apayao,
7. Abra,
8. Kalinga,
9. Mountain Province,
10. Ifugao,
11. Benguet,
12. Ilocos Norte,
13. Ilocos Sur,
14. La Union, and
15. the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao).

PAGASA said areas under Signal No. 1 may expect winds of 39 to 61 km/h in 36 hours, or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours.

"The highest wind signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of Kiyapo is Wind Signal No. 2," PAGASA said.

"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.

The center of Kiyapo was estimated based on all available data at 535 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 550 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.

It was moving west-northwestward at 30 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

"On the forecast track, the center of Kiyapo may pass close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between tomorrow (24 July) morning and afternoon, then pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between tomorrow afternoon and evening," PAGASA said.

"It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday morning," it added. –NB, GMA News