By Alec Go
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over Batanes and TCWS No. 1 over Babuyan Islands and Sta. Ana, Cagayan as Typhoon Henry maintains its strength as it accelerates northward as of 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11:00 a.m. bulletin that Henry will bring moderate to heavy rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
“Ang sirkulasyon ng Bagyong Henry ay patuloy na kumikilos papalayo ng ating bansa. Nakikita nating humahatak na ito ng habagat na magdudulot ngayon ng pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon including Metro Manila,” PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.
As of 10:00 a.m., the typhoon is locatedat 405 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gustiness of up to 185 km/h. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday night. It may also intensify as it leaves PAR.
“Sa ngayon, southwest monsoon (habagat) ang patuloy pa ring nakaaapekto sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon at Western Visayas,” he said.
PAGASA has raised yellow rainfall warning over Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Bulacan, and Metro Manila.
A gale warning is also in effect in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Aurora.
“Patuloy nating pinapayuhan ang mga kababayan nating mangingisda at may maliliit na sasakyang pandagat na huwag munang pumalaot sa mga nasabing baybayin dahil pa rin sa inaasahang malalaking alon,” he said.