Tropical depression Neneng may reach tropical storm category on Saturday, Oct. 15, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The state weather bureau’s latest bulletin showed that Neneng was last seen 510 kilometers (km) east of Calayan, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
“Neneng is forecast to reach tropical storm category today and may further intensify into a severe tropical storm while moving in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands-Batanes area,” said PAGASA, adding that Neneng’s further intensification into typhoon category is seen by Monday, Oct. 17.
Wind signals
As the weather disturbance continues to move west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, wind signals remained hoisted in several parts of Luzon.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still raised over the following areas as of 11 a.m. on Saturday: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Isabela, and Ilocos Norte.
Strong winds and intermittent rains may be experienced in these areas within 36 hours.
Heavy rains and other hazards
Until Saturday evening, heavy to intense with at times heavy rains will prevail over Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands. On Sunday, Oct. 16, heavy to intense rains with at times heavy rains may be experienced in Batanes, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.
“Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur, and the rest of mainland Cagayan, 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 said.
Meanwhile, apart from rains and strong winds, PAGASA likewise warned of rain-induced hazards, such as but not limited to, flash floods and landslides.
Based on the latest forecast track, Neneng is still expected to make a “very close approach” or possibly make landfall in the vicinity of Batanes or Babuyan Islands on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16.