Signal No. 2 up in Babuyan Islands as Siony maintains strength

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over Babuyan Islands as Severe Tropical Storm Siony maintains its strength on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, Pagasa said Siony was last spotted at 475 kilometers (kms) east of Basco, Batanes at 10 a.m.

Siony is packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph, while moving west southwest at 25 kph.

Aside from Babuyan Islands, Signal No. 2 is still hoisted over Batanes which means winds from 61 kph to 120 kph will be experienced in these  areas.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said Signal No. 1 is still raised in the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Allacapan, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes); the northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Calanasan); and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos, Vintar, Pasuquin, Bacarra).

Pagasa also predicted that trough of Siony will bring heavy rains over Pangasinan and most parts of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa or Southewestern Tagalog Region, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao, in the next 24 hours.

Batanes and Babuyan Islands are expected to experience moderate to heavy rains due to Siony, Pagasa also said.

EDV