Tropical Storm Kiyapo intensifies, Signal No. 2 raised in Northern Luzon

MANILA – Tropical Storm Kiyapo intensified on Friday, prompting the state weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over parts of Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kiyapo was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 80 kph.

As of 4 a.m., the storm was located 345 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, and was moving west-northwest at 30 kph.

Signal No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes; the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, including Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalanuigan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, and Santa Praxedes; as well as the Babuyan Islands and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, including Pagudpud.

Signal No. 1 is in effect over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora, including Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dipaculao.

PAGASA said Kiyapo’s circulation, combined with the southwest monsoon, is bringing strong to gale-force winds across most parts of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as areas in Zamboanga del Norte and Davao Oriental.

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

The weather bureau said Kiyapo is expected to pass near the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan before moving close to or making landfall over the Babuyan Islands later on Friday.

The cyclone may further intensify into a severe tropical storm while crossing extreme Northern Luzon after passing through the Babuyan Islands, PAGASA said.

Heavy rainfall is forecast over Batanes, Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte due to Kiyapo.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is expected to bring heavy rains over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental. (PNA) -Philippine News Agency