MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Ineng (International name: Bailu) gained speed Saturday and is now moving closer to Batanes area, threatening residents in northernmost part of Luzon with winds that may cause light to moderate damage, the state weather bureau said.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said “Ineng” is forecast to cross the Bashi Channel Saturday morning and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the afternoon.
"Ineng" — which packs maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 125 kilometers per hour — was spotted 105 km north of Basco, Batanes at 7 a.m.
Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte have been placed under storm signal no. 1. These areas may experience winds of 30-60 kph in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains within 36 hours.
Signal no. 2 is declared over Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Winds greater than 61 kph and up to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours in these areas.
Elsewhere, moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Zambales, Bataan, Mindoro provinces and northern portions of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands).
Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains may be experienced over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the rest of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley.
“Residents in the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides, are advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates,” PAGASA said.
“Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of areas under [tropical cyclone wind signal], the seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas due to potentially rough sea conditions,” it added.
The Philippines, located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, is visited by around 20 typhoons every year.
Ineng forecast position:
- 24 Hour (Sunday morning): 615 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes (Outside PAR)
- 48 Hour (Monday morning): 1,095 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes (Outside PAR)
— Ian Nicolas Cigaral