MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Falcon is seen to make landfall over the Babuyan-Batanes Islands on Wednesday evening, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.
Weather specialist Benison Estareja said “Falcon” may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours.
As the islands are scattered and small, the tropical cyclone might only make a close approach, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
“Falcon” continued to move westward over the Philippine Sea at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour (kph)..
It was last spotted 510 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. It blew maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.
Moderate to heavy rains are expected over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), Panay Island, and Guimaras.
The rest of Luzon and Visayas meanwhile will have light to moderate with at times heavy rains. /muf