AT least 10 provinces in Northern Luzon are under Signal 1 as Tropical Depression Kiyapo accelerates and continues to move while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, the weather bureau reported.
In its 11 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Sadanga, Bontoc, Besao, Sagada),the eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut), Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente), the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), the northern portion of Quirino (Aglipay, Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun) and the northernmost portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi).
Kiyapo is expected to bring rainfall and may trigger flashfloods and landslides in areas that are prone to such geological hazards, the weather bureau warned.
In the weather advisory it issued at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Pagasa said Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur are forecast to receive between 100 and 200 mm of rain from tomorrow afternoon until Saturday noon.
Meanwhile, Batanes, Isabela, Kalinga, Benguet and La Union are expected to receive between 50 and 100 mm of rain.
Under these conditions, numerous flooding and localized flooding are possible mainly in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers.
Pagasa also released a heavy rainfall outlook due to the southwest monsoon, 50 to 100 mm rain is expected in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani today until tomorrow, while Palawan, Antique Iloilo, Guimaras, Occidental Mindoro and Negros Occidental will experience the same intense rainfall by Friday to Saturday noon.
Pagasa said Kiyapo will continue moving west-northwestward until Saturday towards the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward.
The center of Kiyapo may pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between tomorrow morning and afternoon, then pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands between tomorrow afternoon and evening.
It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or noon.
According to weather forecasters, it will gradually intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category tomorrow. It will continue to strengthen while traversing Extreme Northern Luzon and may intensify into a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands.
A weakening trend is expected once Kiyapo makes landfall in the vicinity of southern mainland China and moves further inland.
As of 11 a.m. Kiyapo was spotted 830 km East of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is moving at a speed of 25 kph northwestward.