(Eagle News) – Tropical cyclone warning signal number 2 is now raised over Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan group of islands as tropical storm Falcon has changed its direction and is now “centered east of Aparri, Cagayan.
PAGASA said that “Falcon” made landfall over Cagayan earlier but then “looped” and as of 7 a.m. the center of the storm was estimated at 200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
Tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 is also raised over Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Mountain Province and Ifugao. These areas will experience rains with gusty winds because of storm Falcon.
Tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 has also been “lifted over the northern portion of Aurora, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, and northern portion of Quirino.”
Even as PAGASA is monitoring storm Falcon, it observed a low pressure area as of 7 a.m. at 170 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (18.0°N,119.0°E).
The presence of storm Falcon and another LPA is also enhancing the southwest monsoon bringing more rains to the country, with Cagayan, Apayao and Batanes where signal number 2 is raised experiencing “stormy” weather.
Winds greater than 61 kph and up to 120 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours in these areas.
“Today, Wednesday, July 17, moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras,” according to PAGASA.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas, and the rest of MIMAROPA.
“Tomorrow (July 18) evening, moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, and Occidental Mindoro. Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over the Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, rest of Central Luzon and CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA,” the country’s weather bureau said.
Falcon is moving West Northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
