As Typhoon “Marce” (international name: Yinxing) moves closer and intensifies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Wind Signal No. 2 in the northeastern part of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) in its 11 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 has been raised over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod), Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora).

As of 10 p.m., the center of Marce was located 415 kilometers east-northeast of Echague, Isabela, or 395 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 170 kph.

PAGASA warned that the highest wind warning, which may be issued during the passage of Marce is Signal No. 4, as the typhoon approaches northern Luzon.

It added that Marce is expected to intensify further and may reach its peak strength before making landfall over Babuyan Islands or Cagayan.

Heavy rainfall

PAGASA’s three-day rainfall outlook warned of heavy rains across parts of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon.

From Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening, Nov. 6, moderate to heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) may affect Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.

From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, Nov. 7, intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) is expected in Cagayan, while heavy to intense precipitation (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Batanes.

Moderate to heavy rains will also persist in Isabela, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

From Thursday evening to Friday evening, Nov. 8, intense to torrential rains may affect Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, while heavy to intense rainfall is expected in Apayao, Sur, Abra, and Batanes.

Moderate to heavy rains will continue in Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Benguet, and Mountain Province.

PAGASA warned that the heavy rains could lead to flooding and landslides, especially in areas prone to these hazards or those that have received significant rainfall.

Landfall

Currently moving west-northwestward at 15 kph, PAGASA said Marce is expected to maintain this trajectory until Wednesday, before decelerating and shifting westward over the Philippine Sea, east of extreme northern Luzon.

The latest forecast shows that Marce may make landfall or pass close to Babuyan Islands or the northern part of mainland Cagayan on Thursday afternoon evening.

PAGASA said Marce is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening.