Batanes breathes easy: Signal No. 1 lifted as Betty weakens further
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no.1 has been lifted in Batanes as Severe Tropical Storm Betty (international name: Mawar) has weakened further, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.
In its 11 a.m. update, Pagasa said Betty was spotted some 570 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, with a maximum wind speed of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
According to the state weather bureau, Betty will exit within the day and gradually accelerate northward or northeastward before turning northeastward or east-northeast over the waters near the Ryukyu Islands, Japan and will make landfall or pass very close to Okinawa tonight or Friday morning.
Rain due to “habagat”
Pagasa likewise added that the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to bring rain to most parts of the country, specifically northern Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Bicol region, Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Western Visayas, Northern Samar and the northern portion of Samar in the next 24 hours.
Flash floods and rain-induced landslides are possible within the mentioned areas.
Rough seas alert!
Meanwhile, due to Betty and enhanced southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau hoisted a gale warning over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboard of Luzon, and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.
