The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has lowered the tropical cyclone wind signal in Batanes to Signal No. 1 as typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu") continues to move away from the country.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin issued on Sunday, Sept. 12, PAGASA said the center of the eye of the typhoon was located 395 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving north-northeastward at 20 kph.
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said typhoon Kiko may still bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Batanes, while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may prevail over Babuyan Islands.
PAGASA warned those in these areas to remain vigilant against possible scattered to widespread flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Typhoon Kiko is also expected to continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Zambales, and Bataan.
Cloudy skies with scattered monsoon rain showers and thunderstorms may also affect Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija.
The rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.
PAGASA said severe thunderstorms, which are often associated with short-lived heavy rains, may also trigger flash floods or landslides.
"Typhoon Kiko is forecast to move generally northward over the sea east of Taiwan and the East China Sea throughout the forecast period. On the forecast track, the typhoon will exit the Philippine area of responsibility this afternoon," PAGASA said.