MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been lifted in eight Luzon provinces as Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) slowly crossed over the waters east of Basco, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday.
According to the 11 p.m. bulletin of Pagasa, Betty was moving north-northwestward slowly and was last monitored 440 kilometers (km) east of Calayan Cagayan or 385 km east of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and a gustiness of up to 190 kph.
Pagasa lifted Signal No. 1 in the following areas;
- Quirino
- northern Nueva Vizcaya
- Ifugao
- southern Aurora
- Polillo Islands
- northern Catanduanes
- Camarines Sur
- Camarines Norte
On the other hand, Signal No. 2 remains hoisted in the following areas:
- Batanes
- northeastern Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 stays in the following areas;
- mainland Cagayan
- Isabela
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- eastern Mountain Province
- Ilocos Norte
- northern Aurora
In the next three days, Betty is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which is expected to affect and likely cause flash floods and rain-induced landslides to Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northwestern portion of Aklan, the western portion of Romblon, and Calamian Island.
Earlier Monday, Pagasa said Betty would likely weaken over the next five days and be downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Thursday or Friday. The typhoon is also forecast to exit the Philippine area of Responsibility by Friday.