Tropical cyclone wind signal number 4 has been lifted as typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu") has started to move north-northeast over the Bashi Channel towards Taiwan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 8 p.m. bulletin on Saturday, Sept. 11.

As of 7 p.m., the center of the eye of the typhoon was located 100 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

Signal No. 3 remains hoisted over Batanes, Signal No. 2 in the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands, and Signal No. 1 over the rest of Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA said Kiko may still bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Batanes in the next 24 hours.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are also likely over Babuyan Islands, northern portion of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, and Benguet.

PAGASA still 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 is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring moderate to heavy monsoon rains over Metro Manila, the rest of Ilocos Region, and the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon.

"Typhoon Kiko is forecast to move generally northward throughout the forecast period while moving over the sea east of Taiwan and East China Sea," PAGASA said.

The typhoon is seen to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Sunday afternoon or evening, Sept. 12.