Henry accelerates northward; Babuyan areas, Batanes under Signal 1

The Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands remained under Signal No. 1 as Typhoon Henry accelerated northward and was in the vicinity of the Miyako Islands in the Southern Ryukyus late Saturday evening.

In its 11. p.m. bulletin, weather bureau PAGASA said Henry was 520 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes and was moving northward at 15 kilometers per hour.

Henry had maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

Light to moderate with, at times, heavy rain was likely over the Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to Henry.

“Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” the weather bureau said.

Additionally, strong winds (strong breeze to near gale winds) would be experienced within areas under Signal 1.

Meanwhile, PAGASA also said that the Southwest Monsoon, enhanced by Henry, would bring rain over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon in the next 24 hours.

Furthermore, occasional gusts reaching strong to gale-force strength winds associated with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon and its convergence with the typhoon circulation may be experienced (especially in the coastal and mountainous areas) over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and the remaining localities in the Babuyan Islands that are not under any wind signal.

PAGASA said a gale warning was in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Henry may also bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon (1.2 to 3.0 m) in the next 24 hours.

The weather bureau said these conditions may be risky for those using small seacraft.

Mariners were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

According to PAGASA' s projections, Henry would continue moving northward or northwestward and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within six hours.

PAGASA, however, said a slight intensification may still take place as Henry leaves the PAR. — DVM, GMA News