Remote Batanes braces for Super Typhoon Henry | Inquirer News
185-KPH WINDS

Remote Batanes braces for Super Typhoon Henry

/ 05:08 AM September 02, 2022

Dark clouds signal the arrival of Super Typhoon Henry in Batanes. Image from PIA Batanes / Facebook

Dark clouds signal the arrival of Super Typhoon Henry in Batanes. Image from PIA Batanes / Facebook

ITBAYAT — Using fishing nets and bamboo trellis, residents in this northernmost province continued securing their roofs and windows as strong to gale-force winds associated with Super Typhoon “Henry” (international name: Hinnamnor) were expected on Thursday.

Light rains were already experienced in the island province on Thursday afternoon, and local officials barred fishing boats and other small seacraft from venturing out into the sea.

Article continues after this advertisement

In this town, classes at all levels were suspended hours before tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the entire province and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands around 5 p.m. on Thursday.

FEATURED STORIES

Workers were seen placing wooden window shutters at the Itbayat District Hospital in anticipation of strong winds.

In the island town of Calayan in Cagayan province, classes at all levels in public and private schools were suspended.

Article continues after this advertisement

Out of PAR by weekend

According to the 5 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the center of the eye of Henry was last spotted 400 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat.

Article continues after this advertisement

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 km per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 230 kph, and it is moving south-southwestward at 15 kph.

Article continues after this advertisement

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Batanes and Babuyan Islands on Friday due to the typhoon, prompting the weather bureau to place the provinces under Signal No. 1, which may bring strong winds in the next hours.

By early Saturday morning until the afternoon, the weather bureau said moderate to heavy rains are possible over Batanes while Babuyan Islands will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.

Article continues after this advertisement

Henry was also forecast to become “almost stationary” as it is expected to decelerate south-southwestward. Based on the forecast track, Henry is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Persistent flooding

In Pampanga province, the town of Masantol was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday due to persistent flooding that could worsen due to Henry.

Classes in the town were also suspended on Wednesday afternoon.

At least 19 villages in Masantol remained submerged in floodwater that reached up to 2 feet to 4 feet (0.6 meter to 1.2 meters) high due to high tides and monsoon rains, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council.

Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda directed the mayors of 19 towns and two cities in the province to prepare personnel, equipment, facilities, food and medical supplies in preparation for the impact of Henry.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Pineda also authorized officials to order preemptive or forced evacuation in villages where the risks of landslides, floods and other dangers were high. — NATHAN ALCANTARA, TONETTE OREJAS AND VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.

RELATED STORY:
Pagasa raises Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Babuyan Islands due to Super Typhoon Henry

Pagasa says may hoist Signal No. 2 as Super Typhoon ‘Henry’ to become ‘almost stationary’ by Friday

TAGS: Batanes, Typhoon Henry

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.