The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 over parts of Cagayan and Apayao on Thursday morning, Nov. 7, due to the ongoing threat posed by the approaching Typhoon “Marce” (international name Yinxing) in northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Marce will reach its peak intensity during landfall or a close approach to the Babuyan Islands or northern Cagayan, before traversing Ilocos Norte and Apayao from Thursday afternoon to early Friday morning, Nov. 8.

As of 4 a.m. on Thursday, the center of the eye of the typhoon was located 200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 190 kph.

Wind signals

Due to the potentially “very destructive” winds of Typhoon Marce, Signal No. 4 has been raised over the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Santa Teresita, Lal-Lo, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Gattaran, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, including Babuyan Islands) and northeastern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela).

Signal No. 3 remains in effect over the southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang), the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and northern portion of Abra (Tineg).

Signal No. 2 is still up in the rest of Batanes, northern and central portions of Isabela (San Pablo, Santa Maria, Divilacan, Tumauini, Maconacon, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Palanan, Ilagan City, Mallig, Delfin Albano, Quirino, San Mariano, Gamu, Roxas, Naguilian, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Benito Soliven, Luna, Aurora, San Manuel, San Mateo, Alicia, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Cabatuan), the rest of Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, northern portion of Ifugao (Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Banaue, Hungduan), northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan), Ilocos Sur, and northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Balaoan, Luna, Santol).

Areas under Signal No. 1 are the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Ifugao, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan), and northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria).

Rainfall outlook

PAGASA warned of intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) that may persist in Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte on Thursday.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may also continue in Batanes, Ilocos Sur, and Abra, while moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Kalinga, La Union, Isabela, and Mountain Province.

On Friday, PAGASA said intense to torrential rainfall may continue to affect Ilocos Norte, while heavy to intense precipitation may persist in Ilocos Sur, Apayao, and Babuyan Islands.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall may affect mainland Cagayan, Batanes, Kalinga, La Union, Abra, and Mountain Province.

Rough seas

PAGASA also issued a storm surge warning and a gale warning due to rough seas and stormy weather.

There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak surge heights exceeding 3 meters above normal tide levels over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union within the next 48 hours.

A gale warning has been also issued over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon due to “up to very rough, high, or very high seas” in these areas.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening.