Batanes still under Signal No. 4 as ‘Ferdie’ accelerates

THE province of Batanes remains under Signal No. 4 as typhoon “Ferdie” slightly accelerated while traversing the Bashi Channel, the state weather bureau said on Tuesday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 3 is still in effect over Babuyan Group of Islands, while Signal No. 2 was placed in Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Northern Cagayan.

The rest of Cagayan, northern Isabela, Kalinga, Abra and northern Ilocos Sur are under Signal No. 1.

Bonifacio Cuarteros of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Cagayan said over radio DZMM that they will issue an advisory on the extension of the suspension of classes in the province.

READ: Cagayan classes suspended due to ‘Ferdie’

Pagasa warned that storm surge of up to 2 meters is possible in areas under storm warning signals, and advised residents in northern Luzon against impacts of “very strong winds and heavy rainfall.”

As of 4 p.m., Ferdie was plotted at 165 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes as it moves in a west northwest direction at 24 kilometers per hour.

The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of up to 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

Ferdie is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday, while a new tropical storm to be named “Gener” is expected to enter PAR on Wednesday./rga