Typhoon Henry (international name: Hinnamnor) continued to decelerate and weaken while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, east-northeast of Batanes, the State weather bureau said Friday evening, Sept. 2.
In the 11 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Henry’s location was estimated at 345 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
PAGASA said winds may reach gale-force strength in Batanes where Signal no. 2 remains hoisted, while strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced in Babuyan Islands and northeastern portion of Cagayan province where Signal no. 1 is currently in effect.
In the next 24 hours, occasional gust may also be experienced in Metro Manila, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Southern Luzon, and the remaining localities in the mainland Cagayan that are not under any tropical cyclone wind signal.
Moreover, PAGASA said the typhoon may bring moderate to heavy rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains over the northern and eastern portion of Cagayan.
“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,” PAGASA warned.
The southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by Henry may also continue to bring rains to Isabela, the western portion of Central Luzon, and the rest of CAR.
PAGASA said Henry may continue to move slowly northwestward or north-northwestward before leaving the country’s area of responsibility Saturday evening, Sept. 3, or Sunday morning. Sept. 4.
“A brief intensification may take place by tomorrow morning (Saturday) through Sunday as it gradually accelerates northward,” it added.