‘Onyok’ maintains strength, to exit PAR Monday night – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Onyok has maintained its strength and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Monday night, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 10a.m. severe weather bulletin, Pagasa senior weather specialist Chris Perez said ”Onyok” was last spotted 200 kilometers north-northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It continues to move northwest at 20 kph.

The state weather bureau said Onyok is not expected to make landfall.

However, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still raised over Batanes and the Babuyan group of  islands.

Rainbands of the typhoon would still bring occasional light to moderate rains over Batanes, Pagasa said.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may also prevail in Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan Valley.

The state weather bureau advised residents in the said areas to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local risk disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring weather updates.

Pagasa also said that sea travel is risky, especially for small vessels, over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, including areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, due to potentially rough sea conditions. /gsg