Kiyapo makes landfall in Cagayan, exits PAR today

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Kiyapo made landfall in Cagayan yesterday afternoon and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said Kiyapo developed into a tropical storm at around 2 a.m. yesterday and made landfall at 2:10 p.m. on Camiguin Island in Calayan town.

As of 3 p.m., Kiyapo was located over the coastal waters of Camiguin Island, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts of 115 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 30 kph.

Before leaving PAR, Kiyapo is expected to develop into a severe tropical storm, which may prompt authorities to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 in certain areas.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in Batanes, the northern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Apayao and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

The southwest monsoon or habagat and Kiyapo will bring strong to gale-force strong gusts over most parts of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental as well as Cebu, Northern Samar and Sultan Kudarat.

Rescued

Preemptive evacuation in three towns in Cagayan saved at least 95 people from the risks posed by Kiyapo.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued at least 20 people stranded in floodwaters in Jordan, Guimaras and Hamtic, Antique yesterday.

On Thursday, the PCG responded to flooding incidents in Sarangani and evacuated 240 people.

The Philippine National Police mobilized its disaster response and incident management teams in Northern Luzon ahead of Kiyapo’s landfall, deploying search and rescue units as well as emergency response assets.

Western Visayas schools cancel classes

Schools in Western Visayas suspended face-to-face classes yesterday as heavy rain battered the region.

Records showed that 1,380 schools across three provinces in the region shifted to remote learning modes, affecting 481,034 learners.

Up to 774 schools in 28 towns in Iloilo canceled classes, affecting 258,117 students, according to the regional office of the Dapartment of Education.

As of noon of yesterday, 31 barangays in Iloilo remained flooded, provincial disaster oficials said. –  Jennifer Rendon, Bella Cariaso, Emmanuel Tupas, Artemio Dumlao