Kiko moves towards extreme northern Luzon, Signal No. 2 raised over 4 areas

Typhoon Kiko continues to move in the west northwest direction towards extreme northern Luzon, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA early Friday morning.

Both Severe Tropical Storm Jolina, which is outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and Typhoon Kiko will continue to enhance the southwest Monsoon, bringing rains over the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas in the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been raised over the following areas:

LUZON

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana)
• the northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)

Areas under TCWS No. 1 are:

• the rest of mainland Cagayan, the northeastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg)
• Apayao
• the eastern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Pinukpuk, Rizal)
• the northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Santa Maria, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Quirino, Burgos, Gamu, Ilagan City, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven)
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

As of 1 a.m., the center of the eye of Typhoon Kiko was located at 320 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 240 kph, central pressure of 930 hPa,a nd moving west northwestward at a speed of 25 kph.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS

Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains due to the typhoon may be experienced over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, and northern Isabela while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, northern and central Aurora, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

Scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides may occur in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible.

Winds reaching gale to storm force in strength will be experienced in areas under TCWS No. 2 that may result to light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation.

In areas under TCWS No. 1, the residents will experience strong breeze to near gale in strength that may result to up to very light damage to structures and vegetation.

The weather bureau adds that based on the latest track and intensity forecast, TCWS No. 4 remains the highest wind signal that will be hoisted for this typhoon.

There is a moderate risk of storm surge reaching 1.0 to 2.0 m in height in the next 48 hours including in the low-lying coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Isabela.

HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS

In the next 24 hours, rough to very high seas will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where TCWS is in effect.

Moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 3.0 m) will be experienced over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

Sea travel is risky for all types of sea vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK

Typhoon Kiko is forecast to move generally northwestward or north northwestward towards the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area.

After passing in the vicinity of extreme northern Luzon, Kiko is forecast to move northward late Saturday through Sunday noon and may make landfall in the vicinity of eastern Taiwan or pass within its coastal waters. -- BAP, GMA News