Obet slightly accelerates, Signal No. 1 remains over 3 areas

Tropical Depression Obet slightly accelerates as it moves west southwestward as Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over three areas, according to the Tropical Cyclone Update posted by PAGASA late Thursday evening.

The center of Tropical Depression Obet was estimated at 555 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

Obet is currently moving in the west southwest direction at a speed of 20 km/h with strong winds extend outwards up to 220 km from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over three areas, namely:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)

Heavy Rainfall

Thursday evening to noontime on Friday, the weather bureau forecasted that moderate to heavy rains will likely be over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and Apayao, and possible over Batanes while light to moderate with at times heavy rains remains possible over Ilocos Norte.

On Friday at noon up to early Saturday morning, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains possible over Batanes, the northern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte with light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Abra, Kalinga, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of Cagayan.

Under these conditions, PAGASA said, widespread and prolonged flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in susceptible areas.

Severe Winds

"Throughout the passage of Obet, strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) may be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted. Furthermore, the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Obet is Wind Signal No. 2 (for gale-force winds)," said PAGASA.

"Prior to onset of tropical cyclone winds, prevailing northeasterly surface windflow will continue to bring strong to gale-force winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in the next 24 hours," the agency added.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

With the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow, a marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of northern Luzon.

With the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow and the tropical cyclone, moderate to rough seas will be expected over the seaboards of Central Luzon and the western and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.

Track and Intensity Look

Obet is forecast to remain in the west southwest route until Friday morning before turning westward towards Luzon Strait and traverse the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area on Saturday morning.

The tropical cyclone is also forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening.  -- BAP, GMA News