Ineng accelerates; storm signals still up over North Luzon areas

Typhoon Ineng (international name Goni) maintained its strength as it accelerated slightly, weather bureau PAGASA said before noon Saturday.

 

PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m., the center of the cyclone was estimated at 165 kilometers northeast of Calayan, Cagayan. It was moving faster at 11 kilometers per hour, moving in a north northeast direction.

 

The cyclone was packing maximum sustained wind of 165 kph and gusts of up to 195 kph.

 

PAGASA said Signal Number 3 remains hoisted over Batanes, Calayan and  Babuyan Group of Islands.

 

Areas under Signal Number 2 were Northern Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte and Signal Number was up over the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, and Ilocos Sur.

 

The cyclone was expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday morning.

 

Meanwhile, at least nine people have been confirmed killed due to the typhoon. Seven of the fatalities were killed in landslides in Benguet province.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Friday night that a total of 325 families or 1,357 people were affected by the typhoon in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, said that as of 8 a.m. a total of 448 passengers, 28 vessels, 31 boats and three rolling cargoes were stranded in ports due to Ineng.

 

PAGASA has warned against sea travel in Luzon and Visayas. —ALG, GMA News