(Update) Typhoon Kiko (Chanthu), the Philippines' strongest storm so far this year, moved closer to the country's northeastern tip on Friday, PAGASA said, as it raised Signal No. 3 in Cagayan province.
Kiko, the 11th storm of 2021, weakened slightly on approach to land, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and 230 kph gusts. At 7 a.m., it was spotted 235 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.
It could hit land in northeastern Cagayan before heading to the Batanes and Babuyan Islands farther north, PAGASA said. Earlier this week, Severe Tropical Storm Jolina (Conson) flooded parts of Central and Southern Luzon. The two cyclones will enhance monsoon rains west of the country.
Signal no. 3 (winds of up to 170 kph)
- Extreme northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana)
- Eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Didicas Is., Camiguin Is., and Pamuktan Is.)
PAGASA warns of heavy damage to high-risk structures, increasing damage to old, dilapidated residential structures or houses made of light materials with big trees possibly uprooted or blown down.
Here are the storm signals as of early Friday.
Signal no. 2 (61-120 kph winds)
- Batanes
- Rest of Babuyan Islands
- Remaining eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Tuguegarao City, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Allacapan, Lasam, Ballesteros, Abulug)
- Northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)
Winds could cause light to moderate damage to high-risk structures, while old, dilapidated structures or makeshift shanties may be damaged or unroofed.
Signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds)
- Rest of mainland Cagayan
- Eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Vintar, Carasi, Nueva Era, Burgos)
- Apayao
- Northern portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk, Rizal)
- Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis)
- Northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong)
- Northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Santa Maria, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Quirino, Burgos, Gamu, Ilagan City, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven)
- Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
This means possible light to medium damage to low risk structures, and slight damage to houses made of very light materials in exposed communities.
READ:
Decoding Disaster Alerts: How to Prepare, When to Evacuate
Here's Your Typhoon Safety Guide
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