Severe tropical storm "Fabian" has gained strength but it is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall across the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said that Fabian “slightly intensifies” with its current location at 960 kilometers east northeast of extreme northern Luzon. It has a maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 125 kilometers per hour.
The state weather bureau said that no tropical cyclone wind signal is currently in effect.
“Fabian is unlikely to bring heavy rainfall in the country throughout the forecast period,” it said.
The southwest monsoon enhanced by Fabian will cause rains in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands.
“The latest forecast scenario for Fabian shows that there is an increasing likelihood that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands,” it said.
“Residents and disaster managers in Batanes and Babuyan Islands are advised to continuously monitor the tropical cyclone bulletins,” it added.
Also, rough to very rough seas may be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and the western seaboard of Palawan, including Kalayaan and Calamian Islands; and Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, said PAGASA.
“Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor,” it said.
Fabian is still expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday evening, July 23.