MANILA: The state weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over Batanes as Super Typhoon Rosal (international name: Champi) moved east of northern Luzon on Wednesday morning.
In its 11 am bulletin on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the centre of Rosal was last located 845 kilometres east of northern Luzon as of 10 am.
The typhoon maintained its strength, carrying maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 265 kph. It slightly decelerated from 30 kph to 25 kph as it moved west-northwestward.
With Batanes under TCWS No. 2, Pagasa warned of a potential minor-to-moderate threat to life and property, with wind speeds of 62 to 88 kph. It added that Batanes would experience 50 to 100 millimetres of rainfall from Wednesday to noon on Friday.
Pagasa said on Tuesday that the northern areas of Luzon, particularly Batanes, would be most affected by Super Typhoon Rosal. It also said Rosal would be closest to extreme northern Luzon between Thursday and Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was raised over Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands; the eastern portion of Isabela, covering Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, San Pablo, Ilagan City, San Mariano and Dinapigue; Ilocos Norte; Apayao; and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes, covering Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga and Gigmoto. The warning indicates a potential minimal to minor threat to life and property, with wind speeds ranging from 39 to 61 kph.
The bureau also said Rosal would continue moving west-northwestward on Wednesday, then northwestward on Thursday. It would move north-northwestward by Friday before recurving northeastward by Sunday.
Rosal is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning. - inquirer/ANN
