'Kiyapo' intensifies into typhoon, exits PAR

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Kiyapo (international name: Noul) rapidly intensified into a typhoon before dawn Saturday and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but  Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over parts of Northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin Saturday, July 25, PAGASA said the center of Typhoon Kiyapo was estimated at 320 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes, outside PAR.

Kiyapo packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 25 kph.

Wind signals. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over:

• Batanes;
• western portion of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan, Dalupiri and Fuga islands);
• northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria and Santa Praxedes);
• northern portion of Apayao (Luna and Calanasan); and
• Ilocos Norte.

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

Heavy rainfall. PAGASA said Kiyapo and the southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rainfall over parts of the country.

Due to Kiyapo, the following rainfall is forecast:

Saturday, July 25

• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao and Abra

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is forecast to bring:

Saturday, July 25

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

Sunday, July 26

• Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Pangasinan and Zambales

PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. The weather bureau added that flooding and rain-induced landslides may become more likely in areas that have already received significant rainfall.

Strong winds. The southwest monsoon and Kiyapo's circulation will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental on Saturday, particularly in coastal and upland areas.

On Sunday, gusty conditions are expected over Batanes, Cagayan, the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Quezon and MIMAROPA.

By Monday, strong to gale-force gusts may affect La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, the Lubang Islands and Kalayaan Islands.

Sea conditions. A gale warning remains in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA warned of very rough seas of up to 4.5 meters over the seaboards of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte. Sea travel remains risky for all types of vessels, with mariners advised to remain in port or, if already at sea, seek shelter until conditions improve.

Rough seas of up to 3.5 meters are expected over the northeastern seaboard of Cagayan, while seas of up to 3 meters may affect the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.

Moderate to rough seas are also expected over the seaboards of Isabela, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Lubang Islands, the Calamian Islands, mainland Palawan, Catanduanes, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental. Operators of motor bancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.

Track, intensity. PAGASA said Kiyapo is forecast to continue moving generally northwestward toward southern mainland China before turning north northwestward.

The typhoon is expected to continue strengthening over the next 12 hours before making landfall over southern China.

It is forecast to weaken rapidly as it moves farther inland, although it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring heavy rains and strong winds over parts of the country.