Update: Tropical Storm “Kabayan” Exits Luzon Landmass; Expected to Leave PAR Early Saturday Morning

Manila (PNA) — After making landfall over Aurora province at 12:20 a.m. Friday, tropical storm “Kabayan” exited the Central Luzon landmass and is now heading toward the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its latest weather bulletin.

PAGASA said that as of 11 a.m. Friday, the storm was located at 95 kilometers northwest of Dagupan City, Pangasinan (16.5°N, 119.6°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move west- northwest at 22 kph.

With this development, public storm warning signal (PSWS) No. 2 (61-120 kph winds expected in 24 hours) remains hoisted over the Northern Luzon provinces of La Union and Pangasinan.

On the other hand, PSWS No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in at least 36 hours) is still raised over Benguet, Tarlac, Ilocos Sur and Zambales.

Storm warning signals elsewhere have been lifted.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with storm warning signals are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300-km diameter of the tropical storm.

Weathermen said that if it maintains its speed and movement, tropical storm “Kabayan” is expected to exit PAR by Friday midnight.

It added moderate to occasionally heavy rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the provinces of Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac and Pangasinan.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon.

“Kabayan” is expected to be at 560 km west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte or outside the PAR by Saturday morning.

By Sunday morning, it is forecast to be at 1,180 km west of Itbayat, Batanes and at 1,690 km west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes by Monday morning. (PNA) SCS/CLTC