Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains hoisted over some areas of Cagayan Valley as typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) maintained its strength on Monday afternoon, Aug. 28, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Goring maintained its maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 190 kph, while moving northward at 15 kph.

The center of the eye of the typhoon was last located 260 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

PAGASA said Goring’s strong winds may continue to affect areas where tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 is still in effect.

Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, and eastern portion of Isabela.

PAGASA warned that higher wind signals may still be raised over extreme Northern Luzon and the northern or northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

“Hoisting of Wind Signal No. 3 or 4 over the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area is not ruled out,” it pointed out.

Goring landfall not ruled out

PAGASA said Goring may continue to move northward or northwestward in the next 36 hours, then west-northwestward on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 30 towards the Bashi Channel and the vicinity of Batanes.

Based on the latest forecast track, the typhoon will make a close approach to Batanes between Wednesday morning and evening, Aug. 30, with a landfall scenario not ruled out, before moving to the southern portion of Taiwan between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, Aug. 31.

PAGASA also said Goring may maintain its strength in the next 24 hours, then intensify gradually before passing close to Batanes.

It may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday morning or afternoon.

Heavy rains

PAGASA said Goring may continue to bring heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) to Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte until Wednesday afternoon.

From Wednesday afternoon to Thursday evening, Batanes may receive torrential rains (greater than 200 millimeters), while the Babuyan Islands may experience intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters).

Heavy rains may also persist in the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

The southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Goring will also bring occasional or monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas over the next three days.

New storm

PAGASA also continues to monitor the tropical storm near the PAR.

The tropical storm with the international name “Haikui” was last spotted 2,205 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

It continues to move west-southwestward slowly, while packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph.

PAGASA said Haikui may enter the PAR by Wednesday or Thursday, and will be locally called “Hanna.”

READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/28/goring-continues-to-weaken-another-cyclone-may-enter-par-aug-30-or-31