Signal No. 1 in Batanes lifted; Exiting ‘Liwayway’ intensifies

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Batanes has been lifted even as Typhoon Liwayway (international name: Lingling) continued to gather strength while headed outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Batanes and Babuyan Islands may still experience light to heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon until Thursday morning.

“Liwayway”, was last spotted 350 kilometers (km) northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 160 kph.

“Liwayway” is expected to exit PAR by Thursday afternoon or evening.

Pagasa said the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon will also experience scattered light to moderate rains, with at times heavy rain showers likewise due to the southwest monsoon.

From Thursday to Friday morning, the trough or extension of “Liwayway” and the southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos region.

Pagasa advised residents of these areas to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring weather updates.  /gsg