Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 has been raised in some Luzon areas on Thursday, Sept. 9, as typhoon “Kiko” (international name “Chanthu”) approaches Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the center of Kiko at 785 kilometers km east of Baler, Aurora at 4 a.m.

It packed a maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, while moving westward at 20 kph.

Signal number 1 has been hoisted over the eastern portion of Cagayan (Buguey, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca) and the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Palanan).

State meteorologists warned that heavy to intense, with at times torrential rains due to the typhoon, may be experienced over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Northern Isabela starting Friday, Sept. 10.

“Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also be experienced over Batanes and the rest of Isabela,” PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. weather bulletin.

Winds reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength with occasional gusts will be experienced within 36 hours in areas signal number 1, and may result to up to very light damage to structures and vegetation.

However, the agency noted that as the severe weather disturbance approaches the Extreme Northern Luzon, higher wind signals will be hoisted in some localities within Northern Luzon.

Based on the latest track and intensity forecast, signal number 4 remains the highest wind signal that might be raised for this typhoon, it said.

PAGASA said that Kiko is forecast to move west northwestward or northwestward from Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11.

“On the forecast track, the typhoon is forecast to pass very close to northeastern Cagayan and cross the vicinity of Babuyan Islands between afternoon and Saturday early morning,” the state weather bureau said.

“The typhoon will then pass to the south and west of Batanes between Saturday early morning and Saturday afternoon,” it added.

PAGASA has not yet ruled out the possibility of landfall over mainland Cagayan following the recent southward shift in the typhoon’s track forecasts.

After traversing the Babuyan Islands and Luzon Strait, Kiko is forecast turn north northwestward and northward on Sunday, Sept. 12, through Monday, Sept. 13, as it passes near the southwest and west coasts of Taiwan and move over the Taiwan Strait.

For the remainder of Monday through Tuesday, Sept. 14, Kiko will turn north northeastward and make landfall in the vicinity of southeastern China.

PAGASA said Kiko is forecast to continue intensifying and may reach a peak intensity between 185 and 205 kph Friday evening while passing close to mainland northern Luzon and over the Babuyan Islands.

It may then begin to weaken by Sunday as the typhoon passes close to and begins to interact with the rugged terrain of Taiwan.