Typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu") has slightly intensified while moving towards the extreme portion of northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said before Friday noon, Sept. 10.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA estimated the center of the eye of the typhoon at 220 kilometers (km) northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, or 220 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Weather specialist Ariel Rojas said Kiko will be closest to the northeastern portion of Cagayan between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Friday.
Kiko has also further intensified and was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph while moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 has been hoisted over the extreme northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) and eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island, Pamuktan Island, Calayan Island, Panulitan Island).
Signal No. 2 was also raised over Batanes, the rest of Babuyan Islands, the remaining eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Tuguegarao City, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Allacapan, Lasam, Ballesteros, Abulug), northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan), and northeastern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol).
Signal No. 1 was also up in the rest of mainland Cagayan, eastern portion of Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Vintar, Carasi, Nueva Era, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Laoag City, Piddig, Solsona, Dingras, Sarrat, San Nicolas), the rest of Apayao, northern portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk, Rizal), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong), northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Santa Maria, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Quirino, Burgos, Gamu, Ilagan City, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven), and northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran).
"Based on the latest track and intensity forecast, TCWS #4 (tropical cyclone wind signal number 4) remains the highest wind signal that will be hoisted for this typhoon. TCWS #4 may be hoisted over portions of Babuyan Islands this afternoon," PAGASA pointed out.
Expect heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over northeastern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and Batanes, and heavy to intense rains over northern Isabela and the rest of Cagayan, PAGASA advised.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, northern and central Aurora, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.
PAGASA warned against possible scattered to widespread flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides in these areas, especially those that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
In the next 24 hours, typhoon Kiko may also continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring rains over the western section of Southern Luzon and Visayas.
Kiko's intensity and track forecast
As of Friday noon, Kiko was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph while moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
PAGASA said the typhoon may slightly intensify with up to 205 kph maximum sustained winds in the next 12 hours.
Kiko may move generally northwest or north-northwest towards the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area and may pass over the coastal waters of northeastern Cagayan Friday afternoon or evening.
Afterward, the typhoon may cross the vicinity of Babuyan Islands and Batanes or pass within their coastal waters from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon or evening.
PAGASA is also not ruling out the possibility of landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan.
The public is advised to continue monitoring for possible changes in the forecast track in the succeeding bulletins issued by PAGASA.
"After passing in the vicinity of extreme northern Luzon, Kiko is forecast to move northward for the remainder of tomorrow through Sunday afternoon (Sept. 12) and may make landfall in the vicinity of eastern Taiwan or pass within its coastal waters," PAGASA said.
Should it maintain its current speed and direction, Kiko will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon or evening.