'Inday' keeps strength as Signal No. 2 remains over parts of Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) maintained its strength Friday afternoon as it continued moving north-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, with Signal No. 2 still in effect over parts of Northern Luzon.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Friday, July 10, PAGASA said the center of Inday was estimated at 525 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

The typhoon is heading north-northwestward at 20 kph.

Wind signals

The following areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2:

• Batanes
• Eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island and Camiguin Island)
• Northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

Under Signal No. 2, gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph may be experienced within 24 hours, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, the following areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

• Rest of the Babuyan Islands
• Rest of mainland Cagayan
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Ilocos Norte
• Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin and Paracelis)
• Eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista)
• Northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores and La Paz)

Under Signal No. 1, strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph may be experienced within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

Strong winds

PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Typhoon Inday will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country on Friday and Saturday, July 11, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

By Sunday, July 12, gusty conditions are expected over most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin and Davao Oriental.

Heavy rainfall

PAGASA said Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rainfall over parts of the country.

Due to Inday, Batanes may experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall from Friday until Saturday afternoon, July 11.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is expected to bring:

Friday to Saturday afternoon, July 11

• Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro and Antique
• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur

Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, July 12

• Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro, Zambales and Bataan
• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental

Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, July 13

• Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro, Zambales and Bataan
• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan and Antique

PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur, particularly in areas experiencing prolonged or intense rainfall.

Sea conditions

A gale warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon.

Very rough to high seas are expected over parts of Northern Luzon, with waves reaching up to 7 meters over the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes.

Waves of up to 6 meters are forecast over the seaboards of the Babuyan Islands, northeastern mainland Cagayan and the remaining seaboards of Batanes.

PAGASA advised all mariners to remain in port or, if already at sea, seek shelter or safe harbor until winds and waves subside.

Small seacraft operators, including those using motorbancas, were also advised not to venture out over coastal waters experiencing rough to very rough seas.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said Inday is forecast to continue moving northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea and may pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday night and Saturday morning.

The typhoon is expected to move toward the southern islands of Japan and may pass close to the northern coast of Taiwan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon.

Inday is forecast to remain a typhoon until it exits PAR. It may weaken into a severe tropical storm after moving inland over mainland China, where it is expected to make landfall by Saturday evening or early Sunday.