Storm signal up in Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - Storm warning signal Number One was raised over the Batanes group of islands yesterday as Typhoon Huaning moved closer to extreme Northern Luzon.

Huaning (international name Soulik) entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday but the weather bureau said it is not expected to directly hit any part of the country.

Huaning was spotted at 1,150 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m., packing winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It was forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph.

Weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said Huaning is likely to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring light to moderate rains over the western section of the country, including Metro Manila, beginning today until Saturday.

“From 8 a.m. today until 8 a.m. tomorrow, the typhoon will not have a direct effect in any part of the country,” he said.

Aurelio, however, said stormy weather is expected over Batanes by tomorrow.

“We might raise storm warning signal no. 3 over Batanes by tomorrow because the area is within the 800-km radius of the typhoon,” he said.

Aurelio, meanwhile, warned the public, particularly those living in low-lying and mountainous areas, against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The typhoon is predicted to be at 820 km east of Itbayat, Batanes this morning, 450 km northeast of Itbayat tomorrow morning, and 450 km north of Itbayat or in the vicinity of northern Taiwan by Saturday afternoon.

Aurelio said Huaning was forecast to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning.

Huaning could dump 10 to 25 millimeters per hour of rain, or heavy to intense rainfall, within its 800-km radius.

It is the eighth tropical cyclone to enter the country and the first weather disturbance this month.

Two to three cyclones are predicted to visit the Philippines this month.