Obet maintains strength; Signal No. 1 remains over 2 areas

Tropical Depression Obet maintains its strength as it moves westward over the Balintang Channel, according to the Tropical Cyclone update posted by PAGASA early Saturday morning.

The center of Tropical Depression Obet was estimated at 70 kilometers west southwest 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 1006 hPa.

The present movement of Obet is westward at the speed of 20 km/h with strong winds extend outwards up to 220 km from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands

Heavy Rainfall

On Saturday, light to moderate with at times heavy rains is possible over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

The weather bureau warns that flooding and rain-induced landslides are still 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."

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," said PAGASA.

With the surge of the Northeast Monsoon, a marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon.

In the next 24 hours, the northeast monsoon and the tropical cyclone may  bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon that may be risky for small seacrafts that mariners have been advised to take proper precautionary measures.

PAGASA said Obet is forecast to move generally westward until Sunday and will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility this morning. -- BAP, GMA News