The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday morning, Oct. 20 placed parts of extreme Northern Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to the approaching tropical depression Obet.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin issued on Thursday, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana and Gonzaga) in anticipation of strong winds from Obet.

It said the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Obet is Signal No. 2, as it may intensify into a tropical storm by Friday evening, Oct. 21, or early Saturday, Oct. 22.

As of Thursday, Obet maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression was last observed at a distance of 805 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, and continues to move west-southwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

“On the track forecast, the center of Obet may traverse extreme Northern Luzon or the northern portion of mainland Northern Luzon between tomorrow evening and Saturday morning,” PAGASA said.

From early Friday to Saturday morning, moderate to intense rains are possible over the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Light to heavy rains are also possible over Batanes, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of mainland Cagayan.

“Under these conditions, flooding 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.

However, PAGASA said the shear line—a region where warm and cold winds converge—may already bring heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in 24 hours.