Typhoon Kiyapo maintains strength while moving towards Southern China — PAGASA

State weather bureau PAGASA on Saturday said Typhoon Kiyapo maintained its strength as it moved towards Southern China.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal has been issued in any part of the country.

However, the Southwest Monsoon and the periphery of Typhoon Kiyapo are expected bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas on Saturday:

Most of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, and Davao Oriental.

Based on the track and intensity outlook, Typhoon Kiyapo is forecast to move generally northwestward until Sunday towards southern mainland China before turning north northwestward.

Its center was estimated based on all available data at 465 kms west of Basco, Batanes.

Moving northwestward at 25 kph, Kiyapo carried maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.

Meanwhile in an advisory, PAGASA said Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental

Mindoro are expected to experience 50 to 100 mm of rainfall on Saturday until Sunday due to the Southwest Monsoon.

Localized flooding is possible mainly in areas that are urbanized, low lying, or near rivers. Landslides are possible in highly susceptible areas, PAGASA added.

The typhoon has affected the weather in parts of the country far from its center, bringing widespread floods to areas such as Western Visayas and parts of Mindanao. — VDV, GMA News