Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 has been raised over parts of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands on Thursday, as typhoon “Kiko” further moves closer towards Extreme Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the center of Kiko at 435 kilometers (km) East of Baler, Aurora or 370 km East of Casiguran, Aurora as of 10 p.m.

Based on the 11 p.m. bulletin, it maintained its strength packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph, while moving west northwestward at 20 kph.

Signal number 2 has been hoisted over northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Lal-Lo, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao), and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Didicas Is., Pamuktan Is., and Babuyan Is.)

Signal number 1 has been raised over Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Apayao (Luna, Pudtol, Flora, Santa Marcela), and the eastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palanan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Cabagan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Dinapigue).

State meteorologists warned that heavy to intense with at times torrential rains due to the typhoon may be experienced over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, and northern Isabela starting Friday afternoon, Sept. 10, througn Saturday night, Sept, 11.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also be experienced over the rest of Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

PAGASA said typhoon Kiko is forecast to move generally northwestward in the next 24 hours towards the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area, and will likely pass very close to northeastern Cagayan on Friday afternoon or evening.

Afterwards, the typhoon may cross the vicinity of Babuyan Islands and Batanes or pass within their coastal waters from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon. The typhoon will be moving generally north northwestward during this period.

“Though the recent track forecasts of Kiko is now shifting northward, the possibility of landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan is not yet ruled, considering the generally west northwestward movement of the typhoon over the past 12 hours,” PAGASA said.

After passing in the vicinity of Extreme Northern Luzon, Kiko is forecast to turn northward on Sunday, Sept. 12, and may make landfall in the vicinity of eastern Taiwan or pass within its coastal waters.

The typhoon is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday afternoon or evening. Once it is outside the PAR, the typhoon will turn north northeastward over the East China Sea.

Typhoon Kiko is estimated to slightly weaken to around 185 kph in the next 12 hours and maintain that intensity as it moves over Extreme Northern Luzon.

It may begin to further weaken on Sunday as it grazes Taiwan and interacts with its rugged terrain.

“Nevertheless, Kiko will remain a very strong typhoon throughout its passage of Extreme Northern Luzon and will remain within typhoon category throughout the forecast period,” PAGASA said.