Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) continues to traverse the Philippine Sea but it may start to become “almost stationary” by Tuesday, May 30, while over the waters east of Batanes, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday morning, May 28.
Betty, according to PAGASA Weather Specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda, may slightly weaken but it will remain as a typhoon throughout the forecast period.
(MB Visual Content Group)
“It may slightly weaken by Tuesday but we are expecting that it will remain within the typhoon category throughout the forecast period. It will be the closest to our land on Tuesday,” said Clauren-Jorda in a mix of English and Filipino.
The typhoon was last spotted 815 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gustiness of up to 215 kph. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
As Betty moves closer to the Philippine landmass, Filipinos were told to be vigilant against heavy rains and storm to gale-force winds, especially in the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, the northeastern and the northwestern portions of mainland Cagayan, Batanes, and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte and Apayao.
The cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon may also dump rains over MIMAROPA and Western Visayas. Flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, said PAGASA.
Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 1 is still raised in the following areas as of 5 a.m. on Sunday: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, the northern and central portions of Abra, Kalinga, the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province, the eastern and central portions of Ifugao, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino and the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya.