MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 11:46 a.m.) - Public storm warning signals were raised Wednesday in northern Luzon areas as typhoon "Ineng" (international name "Goni") has intensified, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
Storm warning signals are raised in the following areas:
Signal no. 1
- Abra
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Ilocos Norte
- Isabela
Signal no. 2
- Babuyan
- Batanes
- Cagayan
- Calayan
At 10 a.m., the typhoon was located 800 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 180 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 215 kph. It is likely to move west at 23 kph.
The weather bureau said that the typhoon is expected to accelerate due to a high pressure area but has a slim chance of becoming a super typhoon.
Ineng has enhanced the southwest monsoon or "habagat" which will bring occasional rains over Visayas and Palawan.
It is expected to leave the country's territory by Saturday and will then head towards Taiwan.
The typhoon entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council was placed on blue alert yesterday in preparation for Ineng.
For more weather information, visit Philstar Weather.