Inday slightly weakens but trough may bring isolated rain showers

Typhoon Inday (international name: Muifa) slightly weakened on Monday morning as it moved toward southern Japan, but its trough or extension may bring isolated rain showers over parts of the country, PAGASA said.

At 4 a.m., Inday's eye was estimated to be located at 425 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 190 km/h, and with central pressure of 955 hPa.

Inday is moving north northwestward at 10 km/h as it approaches the Yaeyama Islands in southern Japan.

From Inday's center, strong to typhoon-force winds are extending outwards up to 310 km.

"Typhoon INDAY is unlikely to directly bring heavy rains in the country throughout the forecast period," PAGASA said. No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are expected to be raised.

However, its trough or extension as well as localized thunderstorms will bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Flash floods or landslides may result during severe thunderstorms.

On Tuesday up to Wednesday, Extreme Northern Luzon may experience gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength due to the channeling of typhoon circulation in the Luzon Strait.

A gale warning was raised for the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands due to Inday.

The seas may be moderate to rough over the eastern seaboard and the remaining northern seaboard of Northern Luzon in the next 24 hours, with waves reaching up to 3 meters. Sea travel may be risky for those with small seacraft. PAGASA advised mariners to take precautions when venturing out to sea, or avoid navigating if possible.

Coastal waters will be slight to moderate in the rest of the country.

Track, intensity

Inday is expected to pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Yaeyama Islands on Monday morning or afternoon, then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday night or Tuesday early morning.

It will then turn more north northwestward over the East China Sea, gradually accelerating in the process.

Inday is expected to gradually weaken due to the cooler waters over the sea east of Taiwan and East China Sea.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary actions to protect life and property.

Those living in areas identified to be prone to these hazards were advised to follow evacuation and other orders by local authorities.

PAGASA's next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11 a.m.

Sunrise was at 5:45 a.m. while sunset will be at 6 p.m. —KG, GMA News