Signal No. 1 up in Batanes as ‘Huaning’ maintains strength

Screengrab from https://noah.dost.gov.ph/ as of July 10, 2013, 5:01 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Signal No. 1 was raised in Batanes Group of Islands as typhoon “Huaning” (international name Soulik) hovered extreme Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Wednesday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., Huaning was observed 1,150 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The typhoon maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph.

Huaning will bring heavy to intense rains (10-25 mm) within its 800 km diameter, Pagasa said.

It is seen to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday afternoon, or 560 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

Huaning, the eighth cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, will enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains in the western section of the country.

In Pagasa’s gale warning, strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the Eastern seaboard of northern and Central Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.” Pagasa said.