PAGASA: Kiko possible to intensify into super typhoon, may hit Babuyan Islands, Cagayan area

A senior weather specialist of PAGASA on Thursday said they are not ruling out that Typhoon Kiko may intensify into a super typhoon and hit the area of Babuyan Islands or Cagayan.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said the atmospheric and oceanic conditions on Kiko’s possible track are favorable for the boost.

“We’re not ruling out the possibility kasi malayo pa sa kalupaan ng ating bansa at nasa karagatan pa rin ito (because it is still far from our country’s land area and still in the ocean),” he said.

He added that they are not also ruling out that Kiko may hit either the Babuyan Islands or Cagayan during its closest approach to the country between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

As Tropical Storm Jolina leaves and Kiko approaches the country, Perez said that Habagat or Southwest Monsoon will affect Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Based on its bulletin 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGSA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:

• the western portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Infanta, Aguilar, Sual, Labrador, Dasol, Bugallon, Burgos, Mabini, Agno, City of Alaminos, Bani, Lingayen, Mangatarem)
• the northern portion of Zambales (San Antonio, Botolan, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Palauig, Iba, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)
• the eastern portion of Cagayan (Buguey, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca)
• the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Palanan)

— Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News