Typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu") has maintained its strength as it continues to pose threat to extreme northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 8 a.m. bulletin on Friday, Sept. 10.

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 has been hoisted over Sta. Ana town and parts of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan, Island, Didicas Island, Camiguin Island, and Pamuktan Island) in Cagayan province.

Signal No. 2 was also raised over Batanes, the rest of Babuyan Islands, remaining eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Tuguegarao City, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Allacapan, Lasam, Ballesteros, Abulug), and northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was up in the rest of mainland Cagayan, eastern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Vintar, Carasi, Nueva Era, Burgos), Apayao, northern portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk, Rizal), 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 (tropical cyclone wind signal number) 4 remains the highest wind signal that will be hoisted for this typhoon," PAGASA pointed out.

It said that heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may affect Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, and northern Isabela until Saturday evening, Sept. 11.

During the forecast period, 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, severe tropical storm "Jolina" (international name "Conson") and Kiko may also continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Kiko's intensity and track forecast

As of Friday morning, Kiko was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph while moving northwest at 20 kph.

PAGASA said the typhoon may maintain its strength until it moves past extreme Northern Luzon.

Moreover, the center of typhoon Kiko was estimated at 235 kilometers east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora at around 7 a.m.

PAGASA said 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.