MANILA, Philippines —Tropical Depression Kiyapo has increased its speed as it approached Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said "Kiyapo" was last seen 640 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and is moving northwestward at 30 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.
It is expected to reach the vicinity of Aparri, Cagayan early Friday morning and cross the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan in the afternoon.
Pagasa forecaster John Manalo said that "Kiyapo" could intensify into a tropical storm on Friday afternoon and would exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday morning as it intensifies further toward China.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Ambaguio, Villaverde, Quezon, Solano), the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun, Aglipay) and the northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun, Kibungan).
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 also been issued for parts of Northern Luzon with heavy rains affecting Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte from Thursday until Friday afternoon, while light to moderate rains are expected in Isabela, Batanes, Abra, and Ilocos Sur during the same timeframe.
