By Christine Fabro
Typhoon Kiko (international name Chanthu) has further weakened while moving away from the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said on Sunday (Sept. 12) morning.
Kiko’s center was estimated at 395 kilometers (km) north of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 215 kph, and central pressure of 940 hectoPascals (hPa).
As of 11:00 a.m. today, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is hoisted over Batanes.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest weather bulletin that in the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon enhanced by Kiko will bring severe winds over the coastal and upland/mountain areas of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.
The enhanced southwest monsoon may also bring monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the western section of Central Luzon.
Typhoon Kiko is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday afternoon or evening. – jlo
