Signal No. 2 still up over Batanes as Jenny decelerates, slightly weakens

Typhoon Jenny slightly weakened and decelerated over the Philippine Sea on Tuesday morning but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was still up over Batanes, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA added that TCWS No. 1 was also hoisted in the following areas:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Ilagan City, San Mariano, Santo Tomas, Dinapigue, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Gamu, Quirino, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Mallig)
• Apayao
• the northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong)
• the northern portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal, City of Tabuk)
• Ilocos Norte

The highest TCWS that will likely be hoisted due to the typhoon is TCWS Signal No. 3, according to PAGASA.

PAGASA said Jenny was located 330 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes or 340 km east of Itbayat, Batanes. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km per hour and gustiness of up to 190 km/h.

PAGASA said Jenny was moving northwestward at 10 km/h.

Rainfall forecast

A forecast accumulated rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected over Batanes and Babuyan Islands until Wednesday, PAGASA said.

It warned of possible flooding and rain-induced landslides in areas prone to these hazards and those with considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days.

The typhoon-enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas in the next three days.

Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds may be experienced in areas under TCWS No. 2 and minimal to minor impacts from strong winds in areas under TCWS No. 1.

Enhanced by the typhoon, Habagat will bring gusty conditions in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol, and most of Mimaropa and Western Visayas in the next three days.

A gale warning is in effect for the coastal waters along the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon due to Jenny.

Moderate to rough seas up to 3.5 meters are expected over the coastal waters of northern Aurora.

Due to this, PAGASA advised mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea or avoid navigating if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Jenny will make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan between Wednesday late evening and Thursday morning, PAGASA said.

The typhoon will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Thursday morning and afternoon, it added.

Airport operations

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced Tuesday the suspension of airport operations in Batanes due to Typhoon Jenny.

CAAP said Batanes’ Basco Airport will cancel the rest of its general aviation flights for the day due to the harsh weather conditions.

But prior to suspension, PAL Express flight GAP 2932/GAP2933 was able to land at Basco Airport with 45 passengers at 7:20 a.m. and departed with 38 passengers at 9:30 a.m.

Provinces prepare for Jenny

In preparation for Jenny, Cagayan has implemented a no-sail policy, fishing ban, and liquor ban starting Monday, according to a report on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Fishermen secured their motor bancas in the municipality of Calayan, while teachers in the municipality of Baggao moved their books and important documents to safe places to ensure they would not get wet.

Residents who experienced flooding due to previous typhoons nervously monitored the level of water at Cagayan River overnight as heavy rains poured.

Food packs have been prepositioned in various towns while rescue personnel were already deployed as part of disaster preparations.

Meanwhile, in Dilasag, Aurora, fishermen did not venture out to sea in recent days due to the strong waves caused by Typhoon Jenny. Swimming has also been banned in the waters.

Heavy rains were also experienced in Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija and Samal in Bataan. —Joviland Rita/KBK/AOL, GMA Integrated News