(Eagle News)–Tropical Storm “Falcon” maintained its strength as it slightly accelerated on Wednesday night.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 10 p.m., the center of “Falcon” was located 310 kilometers east northeast of Calayan, Cagayan or 220 km east of Basco, Batanes.
It is moving north northeast at 30 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Signal 2 remains over Batanes.
The Signal No. 1 over Ilocos Norte and Apayao has been lifted, but it remains hoisted over the northern portion of Cagayan including the Babuyan group of Islands.
On Thursday, July 18, moderate to at times heavy rains will be experienced over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, and Romblon.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains on the other hand will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
“Residents in the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas identified to be at risk of flooding and landslides, are advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the Thunderstorm Advisories and Heavy Rainfall Warnings to be issued by PAGASA Regional Services Divisions,” the weather bureau said.
It said sea travel was risky over the seaboards of areas under storm signals, the seaboards of Luzon, and the western and eastern seaboard of Visayas.
The tropical storm may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow evening, PAGASA said.
The weather bureau is also monitoring a low pressure area which, as of 7 p.m., is located 190 km west southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
