Tropical storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) intensified further while moving towards Babuyan Islands-Batanes area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday evening, Oct. 15.
Last seen 225 kilometers (km) east southeast of Calayan, Cagayan or 200 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, Neneng was packing winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Due to the anticipated effects of Neneng, wind signals were raised in parts of Luzon. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, and Ilocos Norte.
TCWS No. 1 was placed over the northern and central portions of Isabela, Kalinga, the rest of Abra, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Ifugao, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.
“Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands ,” said PAGASA in its 8 p.m. bulletin.
“Moderate to heavy with at times heavy with at times intense rains over Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, and Ilocos Norte. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the northern portion of Isabela and the rest of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region,” it added.
Apart from strong winds and intense rains, PAGASA also warned the public against rain-induced hazards such as landslides and flash floods. Meanwhile, the combined effects of Neneng and southwesterly winds may also bring occasional gusts over southern Luzon and Visayas according to the state weather bureau.
Further intensification, landfall scenario
PAGASA, in its latest bulletin, said the weather disturbance may reach severe tropical storm category on Saturday night or Sunday morning, Oct. 16.
Similar to what was indicated in the previous bulletins, PAGASA once again reminded the public that it is still not ruling out the possibility of a landfall scenario.
“On the forecast track, the center of Neneng may pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands or Batanes this late evening or tomorrow early morning,” it said.