Siony may either make landfall or move near extreme Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Siony may either make landfall or make a near approach over the islands in the extreme Northern Luzon area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.

Pagasa’s latest severe weather bulletin showed that Siony, which slightly intensified, can move directly along Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and may also steer north.  However, even if it does not make landfall, the eyewall can still bring strong winds and rains to the said areas.

Siony was last seen 340 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, moving west at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.  Its maximum sustained winds are now at 100 kph, with gusts of up to 125 kph.

“Mayroon tayong dalawang scenario dito kay Siony, dahil possible po ang landfall o ‘yong pagtama ng sentro ng mata nito sa ibabaw ng kaulapan, or ‘yong pangalawa naman is ‘yong close approach, lalapit lang siya or ‘yong dadaplis ‘yong eyewall,” weather specialist Ariel Rojas said.

(We are looking at two scenarios for Siony, because it can still make landfall or the center of its eye directly hitting the landmass.  The second scenario is that it would make a close approach, where the eyewall would move near or graze the islands.)

“Just the same kailangan pa rin po maghanda ng ating mga kababayan dyan dahil posibleng magdulot ang malakas na hangin ng bagyo ng pinsala, kasama rin po ‘yong malalakas na pag-ulan,” he added

(Just the same, people in these areas need to prepare for the possible effects of the storm, which may bring strong winds and rains that may bring damage to various structures.)

State meteorologists also said there is still a possibility that Siony intensifies as a typhoon before it nears Batanes.

As of now, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is raised over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, which means that wind speeds of 61 kph to 120 kph may be felt in the next 24 hours.

Signal No. 1 meanwhile persists in the following areas:

• northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Allacapan, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes)
• northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Calanasan)
• northern portion of Ilocos Norte  (Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos, Vintar, Pasuquin, Bacarra)

Pagasa’s satellite animation also showed that Siony’s outer rainbands have started to hit the Northern Luzon areas, which means that strong winds and rains may be expected in the coming hours — with moderate to heavy rains affecting Batanes and Babuyan Islands by early Friday morning.

Siony’s trough and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is also seen to bring scattered light to moderate rains, with at times heavy shower over a huge part of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa,Bicol Region which was recently devastated by Super Typhoon Rolly, as well as portions of Visayas and Mindanao.

Pagasa advised residents in the above-mentioned areas to stay tuned for updates from the weather bureau, and to coordinate with local government agencies especially those who have endured the past weather disturbance as there is a higher risk of landslides in these areas. [ac]