TYPHOON “KIKO” SLIGHTLY WEAKENS AND IS NOW OVER THE SEA EAST OF CENTRAL TAIWAN.
• Location of Center (4:00 AM):
The center of the eye of Typhoon “KIKO” was located based on all available data at 245 km North of Itbayat, Batanes (23.0°N, 122.1°E)
• Intensity:
Maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 215 km/h, and central pressure of 940 hPa
• Present Movement:
Northward at 15 km/h
• Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds:
Strong winds or higher extend outwards up to 480 km from the center
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS IN EFFECT
• TCWS#2
(Damaging gale-force to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)
LUZON:
The northern portion of Batanes (Itbayat)
• TCWS#1
(Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)
LUZON:
The northern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Calayan Is., Panuitan Is.) and the rest of Batanes
• TCWS hoisted in other areas are hereby lifted
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall
• In the next 24 hours, Typhoon “KIKO” will bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Batanes. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are also likely over Babuyan Islands. Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps.
• Typhoon “KIKO” will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the western section of Central Luzon in the next 24 hours. For more information, refer to the 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast issued at 4:00 AM today.
Severe Winds
• Winds will continue to reach gale- to storm-force strength within any of the areas where TCWS #2 is in effect. This may result to light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation.
• Winds will continue to reach strong breeze to near gale strength (i.e., strong winds) within any of the areas where TCWS #1 is in effect. This may result to up to very light damage to structures and vegetation.
• In the next 24 hours, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will also bring occasional gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength over the coastal and upland/mountain areas of Northern Luzon that are not under wind signal, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.
Coastal Inundation
• Hazardous surf conditions associated with high waves reaching the coast may still cause flooding in some low-lying coastal localities of Batanes.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
• In the next 24 hours, rough to high seas (2.5 to 6.0 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Sea travel is risky for all types of sea vessels over these waters. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.
• Due to the typhoon enhancing the Southwest Monsoon, Gale Warning is currently in effect for the northern and western seaboards of Luzon that are not under any wind signal and the eastern seaboard of Cagayan. For more information, refer to Gale Warning #6 issued at 5:00 AM today.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
Typhoon “KIKO”” is forecast to move generally northward over the sea east of Taiwan and the East China Sea throughout the forecast period. On the forecast track, the typhoon will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility this afternoon or evening. Throughout the forecast period, further weakening will continue but “KIKO” will remain within typhoon category.
Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
