'Inday' weakens into typhoon; Signal No. 1 still up

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone Inday (international name: Bavi) weakened into a typhoon early Thursday but continues to threaten Northern Luzon, with Signal No. 1 remaining in effect over several areas.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, July 9, PAGASA said Inday was located 925 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. 

It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

The following areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

Luzon

• Batanes
• Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
• Northern and central portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, Baras, San Miguel)
• Northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela)
• Eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)
• Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis)
• Northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores, 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. PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Inday's passage is Signal No. 2.

Strong winds. PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon and the typhoon's circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country from Thursday until Saturday, July 11, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

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

Due to Typhoon Inday, Batanes may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall on Friday, July 10.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is forecast to bring:

Thursday, July 9

• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Occidental Mindoro, Antique and Negros Occidental

Friday, July 10

• Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 mm): Occidental Mindoro and Antique
• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur

Saturday, July 11

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

PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas and that flooding and rain-induced landslides may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall.

Sea conditions. A gale warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas.

Very rough seas with waves reaching up to 6 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes, the northern and eastern seaboards of the Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan, where all types of vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor.

Rough to very rough seas are also expected over the seaboards of Isabela, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. PAGASA advised operators of small seacraft, including motorbancas, not to venture out to sea in affected waters.

Track, intensity. PAGASA said Inday is forecast to continue moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea and may pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday evening, July 10, and Saturday morning, July 11.

The typhoon is then expected to move toward the southern islands of Japan before making landfall or passing close to northern Taiwan. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday, July 11, and make landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China on Sunday, July 12.

PAGASA said Inday is forecast to gradually weaken but remain a typhoon while inside PAR before weakening into a severe tropical storm after moving inland over mainland China.

It advised the public that heavy rainfall and damaging winds may still be experienced outside the forecast track and advised residents in affected areas to continue monitoring official weather bulletins.