Super Typhoon Inday: Areas in northeastern Cagayan under Signal No. 1

MANILA, Philippines — The weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 in several areas of Cagayan province as Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday morning.

In a bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) past 11 p.m. on Tuesday, it hoisted Signal No. 1 in towns in the northeastern portion of Cagayan, namely:

• Santa Ana
• Gonzaga
• Lal-Lo
• Gattaran
• Santa Teresita

Winds packing 39 to 61 kilometers per hour (km/h) are expected within 36 hours in areas under Signal No. 1.

Houses of poor construction, old dilapidated structures, and other structures made of light materials will suffer minimal to minor damage. Rice crops, especially those in flowering and ripening stages, may suffer some damage.

Pagasa warned that the highest wind signal that may be raised throughout Inday’s passage in PAR will be either Signal No. 2 or Signal No. 3.

READ: Super Typhoon Bavi unlikely to make landfall – Pagasa

The enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” and the periphery of Inday will bring strong winds on Wednesday in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, most of Mimaropa, most of Bicol Region, most of Visayas, and most of Mindanao.

By Thursday, most parts of the country will experience strong to gale-force gusts.

Pagasa also warned of heavy rainfall (50 to 100 mm) due to Inday in Batanes from Thursday evening to Friday evening (July 9-10).

Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) advisory due to habagat is also raised from Wednesday to Thursday evening (July 8 to 9) Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.

For Thursday to Friday evening (July 9-10), heavy to intense (100-200 mm) rainfall will be experienced in Occidental Mindoro and Antique.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy (50-100 mm) will be expected in Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

READ: Evacuations ordered in preparation for Bavi

As of 10 p.m., Pagasa said the center of the eye of Inday was estimated to be at 1,545 km east of northern Luzon, still outside of PAR.

It slightly weakened as it came close to PAR, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.

It is moving westward at 30 km/h, and is forecast to enter PAR early on Wednesday.

It will maintain its super typhoon strength and is projected to gradually weaken to a typhoon by Thursday as it moves east of extreme northern Luzon while continuing on a northwestward track.

Despite remaining offshore, Inday is expected to pass close to Batanes on Friday before exiting the PAR on Saturday, heading towards the north of Taiwan. /cb