Typhoon Kiko slightly weakens but Signal No. 3 up over Northern Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Kiko slightly weakened over the Philippine Sea on Friday but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was still hoisted over Northern Cagayan.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the center of Kiko’s eye was spotted around 280 kilometers east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora packing a maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

The state weather service’s 5 a.m bulletin also indicated that the extreme northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana) is predicted to experience destructive typhoon force winds, which can heavily damage structures and vegetation within the next 18 hours under TCWS No.3.

Pagasa likewise raised TCWS No. 2 over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the remaining eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga), and northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).

It said these areas could expect gale to storm-force winds, which can moderately damage structures and vegetation, within the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the following areas could anticipate strong winds within the next 36 hours as they are placed under TCWS No. 1 by Pagasa:

• the rest of mainland Cagayan
• northeastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Vintar, Carasi)
• Apayao
• eastern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Pinukpuk, Rizal)
• northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Santa Maria, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Quirino, Burgos, Gamu, Ilagan City, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven)
• northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

The state weather bureau further said the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, will still be enhanced by Typhoon Kiko and severe Tropical Storm Jolina even if it has already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). For this, chances of rain will be high over the western sections of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the Visayas in the next 24 hours.

READ: Typhoon Kiko hounds N. Luzon, Signal No.2 in areas; Jolina exits PAR

Pagasa then warned of rough to very high sea conditions with waves possibly reaching 2.5 to 10.0 meters high at seaboards in areas where tropical cyclone wind signals were in effect.

“Sea travel is risky for all types of sea vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside,” it noted.

Pagasa also issued a gale warning over the western seaboards of Palawan and Calamian and Kalayaan Islands, as well as Occidental Mindoro and Lubang Islands, due to the southwest monsoon.

Typhoon Kiko is forecast to exit the PAR by Sunday afternoon or evening.

KGA