Tropical Depression Kiyapo, which has prompted the hoisting of Storm Signal No. 1 in greater than a dozen areas, is prone to intensify right into a tropical storm by Friday, in response to the state weather bureau on Thursday.
Kiyapo was last situated 830 kilometers east of Central Luzon and should intensify right into a tropical storm because it moves near the Babuyan Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said during its 11:30 a.m. press conference.
“Which means that Storm Signal No. 2 could be raised by PAGASA,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said throughout the press conference.
Under Storm Signal No. 2, PAGASA warned that winds may pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
As of the forecast period, Kiyapo stays a tropical depression, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of as much as 55 kph. It’s moving northwestward at 25 kph.
PAGASA has raised Storm Signal No. 1 in greater than a dozen areas as a consequence of the results of Kiyapo. These include Batanes; Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands; Isabela; Apayao; Abra; and Kalinga.
Storm Signal No. 1 has likewise been hoisted over the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province, the eastern and central portions of Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the northeastern portion of Aurora, the northern portion of Quirino, and the northernmost portion of Nueva Vizcaya.
Under Storm Signal No. 1, strong winds are expected inside the subsequent 36 hours, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property.
Based on Tropical Depression Kiyapo’s forecast track, it is predicted to pass very near the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon.
It might then pass very near or make landfall within the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.
Kiyapo is predicted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or noon.
While its center stays relatively removed from any of the country’s landmasses, parts of the country are already experiencing heavy rainfall because the tropical depression enhances the southwest monsoon.
PAGASA has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Cagayan effective from Thursday to Friday, where 50 to 100 millimeters of rain are expected. More areas are expected to be placed under rainfall warnings on Friday. — Edg Adrian A. Eva