Typhoon Henry (international name: Hinnamnor) has significantly weakened while it further slowed down over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday morning, Sept. 2.
From a super typhoon, PAGASA downgraded Henry into a typhoon. However, it remained a strong cyclone, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remained hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Santa Ana in Cagayan.
Heavy rains, gusty winds in extreme N. Luzon
“Moderate to heavy rains with, at times intense, likely over Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains possible over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Cagayan,” PAGASA said.
“Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” it warned.
In the next 24 hours, Henry may also cause moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon.
“These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” the State weather bureau said.
PAGASA said that Henry may also enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough or extension of Henry and the habagat may prevail over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Ilocos Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, and Western Visayas.
As of 4 a.m., PAGASA estimated the location of Henry at 395 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
The typhoon may remain almost stationary Friday morning before tracking slowly northwestward in the afternoon.
It will eventually speed up northward by Saturday morning, Sept. 3, and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday evening or Sunday morning, Sept. 4.