MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is set to raise tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 as Tropical Depression Kiyapo accelerated toward Northern Luzon.
In its bulletin issued at 11 a.m., Pagasa said "Kiyapo" was last seen at 830 kilometers east of Northern Luzon and is moving northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour. It had maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour.
Pagasa forecaster John Manalo said the tropical depression’s rain clouds is around 400 kilometers wide and could affect the southwest monsoon, bringing more rains to more parts of the country.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Sadanga, Bontoc, Besao, Sagada), the eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut), Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente), the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), the northern portion of Quirino (Aglipay, Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun) and the northernmost portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi).
Areas under Signal No. 1 should expect winds of 39-61 kilometers per hour and intermittent rains in the next 36 hours.
Rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of Northern Luzon, with heavy rains affecting Cagayan from until Saturday, and other provinces from Saturday to Sunday.
By 8 p.m. Thursday, "Kiyapo" is expected to be 515 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City.
Pagasa Hydrometeorology division forecaster Jofren Habaluyas said that the rainfall from "Kiyapo" could help increase the water levels at Angat Dam by around 5-7 meter and at the Magat Dam by around 8-10 meters.
