By Christine Fabro
Typhoon “Betty” has slightly decelerated while moving northwestward over the waters east of Cagayan on Monday, May 29, the state weather bureau said.
As of 10:00 a.m., “Betty” was spotted 470 kilometers (km) east of Aparri, Cagayan or 475 km east of Calayan, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 155 km per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 190 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is hoisted over the following areas:
- Batanes
- Northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) including Babuyan Islands
Meanwhile, the following areas are placed under TCWS No. 1:
- The rest of mainland Cagayan
- Isabela
- Apayao
- Ilocos Norte
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler)
- Quirino
- Northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Solano, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Bayombong, Ambaguio)
- Northern portion of Catanduanes (Caramoran, Viga, Gigmoto, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, Pandan)
- Northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma)
- Polillo Islands
- Northern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Capalonga, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud)
- Northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, Santiago, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Sinait, Sigay, San Ildefonso, Galimuyod, Quirino, City of Vigan, San Emilio, Cabugao, Caoayan, San Juan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo, City of Candon)
PAGASA stressed that due to the Southwest Monsoon (habagat), occasional rains to monsoon rains may occur over the western portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas.
“Typhoon Betty is starting to enhance the Southwest Monsoon. Occasional gusts are possible in the next 24 hours over localities in the eastern portion of Central Luzon, eastern and southern portions of Southern Luzon that are not under any wind signal, and most of Visayas,” PAGASA noted.
“Betty” is forecast to steadily weaken over the next five days and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday, June 2. –ag