By Christine Fabro
Typhoon Kiko (international name Chanthu) may bring heavy rains over the eastern section of Northern Luzon on Friday (Sept. 10), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday (Sept. 8).
As of 5:00 p.m. today, Kiko further intensifies as it moves west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea.
The center of Kiko was estimated at the East of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 175
kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph, and a central pressure of 940 hectoPascals (hPa).
According to PAGASA’s latest bulletin, rains with gusty winds will be experienced over Oriental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced over Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Marinduque, and Romblon.
Currently, there are no tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) in effect due to Kiko. However, PAGASA said the current track and intensity forecast shows that there is a moderate to a high likelihood that TCWS will be hoisted for several provinces in Northern Luzon, with higher wind signal levels possible over Extreme Northern Luzon.
“The highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted for this tropical cyclone is TCWS #4,” PAGASA said. – bny
