Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) slightly intensified as it approached the coast of southern Taiwan on Sunday morning, Sept. 3, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The extreme Northern Luzon is still affected by Hanna’s strong winds, prompting the PAGASA to raise tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 over Batanes, Babuyan Island, and Calayan Island.

As of 5 a.m., the center of the eye of the typhoon was located 215 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph while moving westward at 20 kph.

Enhanced ‘habagat’

PAGASA said Hanna is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds to Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next 24 hours.

The southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by typhoon Hanna may also continue to bring heavy rains and gusty conditions over parts of Luzon for the next three days.

Occasional heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may persist in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may prevail over Metro Manila, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.

Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon may also experience scattered monsoon rains and thunderstorms.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA warned.

PAR exit

PAGASA said Hanna may continue to move westward until it makes landfall at or near its peak intensity over Taiwan Sunday afternoon or evening.

“On the track forecast, the typhoon will cross the rugged terrain of southern Taiwan tonight (Sept. 3), resulting in its considerable weakening,” it said.

Hanna is expected to emerge over the Taiwan Strait and leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, Sept. 4, as a severe tropical storm.

Outside of the PAR, the typhoon may slow down, but the weakening trend is likely to continue after crossing the Taiwan Strait, PAGASA said.