Typhoon ‘Ineng’ Intensifies, Signal No. 1 Up in 4 N. Luzon Areas

Manila (PNA) — Four areas in extreme northern Luzon are under public storm warning signal as Typhoon “Ineng” has intensidied as it moves westward, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) on Wednesday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes said public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) has been raised in Batanes group of Islands, and Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

Saludes said that as of 6 a.m. the eye of typhoon Ineng was located 925 km east of Aparri, Cagayan (18.8°N, 130.2°E).

She said the typhoon’s maximum sustained winds has increase from 170 kilometer per hour on Tuesday to 180 kph on Wednesday near the center and its gustiness from 205 kph to 215 kph. It is forecast to move west at 25 kph.

Saludes said typhoon Ineng has slim chance to intensify into super typhoon category but the agency continues to monitor it.

In the few hours the movement of typhoon Ineng will recurve as it changed from westward to northwest. Its speed is expected to accelerate due to a high pressure area.

She explained that once the HPA recedes, typhoon Ineng will move upward just like the track of typhoon Hanna — towards Taiwan — and has a slim chance to make landfall.

Maintaining its speed and movement, typhoon Ineng is expected to exit the country by Saturday or Sunday headed towards Taiwan.

Saludes also said typhoon Ineng started to enhance the southwest monsoon or “hangin habagat” that will bring occasional rains over Visayas and Palawan.

She added beginning Thursday until early next week the enhanced “habagat” will bring occasional rains over the western section of Luzon including Metro Manila.

Saludes said the state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of the typhoon as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds that is expected to affect the eastern seaboards of Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 600-km diameter of the typhoon.

For Wednesday forecast, PAGASA said rains with gusty winds will prevail over Batanes, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands while occasional rains will be experienced over Palawan, Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms is expected over Cordillera, Ilocos Region, provinces Of Isabela, Quirino And Nueva Viscaya and partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to west over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest to west will prevail over the rest of the country.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PNA) JBP/CLTC