Tropical depression Neneng intensified into a tropical storm at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Tropical storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) intensified into a tropical storm while accelerating westward over the Philippine sea. It was last spotted 255 kilometers (km) east southeast of Calayan, Cagayan or 230 km east of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
It is now moving westward at 30 kph.
Raising of Wind Signals 3 and 4 not ruled out
Due to the weather disturbance's expected close approach to the Philippine landmass, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, and Ilocos Norte.
Areas under Wind Alarm No. 2 may experience gale-force winds and heavy rains within 24 hours.
TCWS No. 1, on the other hand, remained hoisted in the northern portion of Isabela, Kalinga, the rest of Abra, the northern portion of Mountain Province, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.
Within 36 hours, strong winds and intermittent rains may affect localities under Signal No. 1.
“The most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 3. However, the possibility of hoisting Wind Signal No. 4 is not ruled out,” said PAGASA in its 5 p.m. bulletin.
Heavy rains to persist until Sunday
The effects of Neneng, particularly the heavy rains and strong winds, will likely persist until Sunday evening, Oct. 16.
“Until , heavy to intense rains with at times torrential rains over Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands. Moderate to 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,” said PAGASA.
The state weather bureau then warned that the heavy to at times torrential rains will continue until Sunday evening. Due to this, PAGASA warned of other rain-induced hazards, such as flash floods and landslides, that may be triggered by the expected heavy downpour.
“ may reach severe tropical storm category while moving in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands-Batanes area. Furthermore, this tropical cyclone may further intensify into a typhoon on Tuesday, ,” it added.
The weather disturbance is seen to exit the Philippine boundary on Monday, Oct. 17.