Cyclone Inday (international name: Muifa) intensified into a severe tropical storm on Friday morning, Sept. 9, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
However, Inday is still unlikely to make landfall or have a direct effect on the country in the coming days.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Inday has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
It was estimated at 800 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, and was moving northwestward at 20 kph.
“Aside from rain showers caused by its trough, tropical storm Inday remains less likely to bring heavy rains in the country throughout the forecast period,” PAGASA said.
“The latest forecast scenario for Inday shows that the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over any land area in the country remains unlikely,” it added.
However, Inday may cause moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands beginning mid to late Saturday, Sept. 10.
“These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to monitor for updates, take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions during the said period,” PAGASA said.
In the next 24 hours, cloudy skies with scattered rain shower and thunderstorms may prevail over Bicol Region, Panay Island, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon due to the trough or extension of Inday.
PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to, at times, heavy rains in these areas.
The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA also advised the public to stay vigilant as flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.
Based on the PAGASA’s latest track forecast, the tropical storm may exit the Philippine area of responsibility early next week.