AFTER threatening the country with its vaunted strength, Super Typhoon “Henry” weakened and became a typhoon and is now lingering over the Philippine Sea east of Batanes.
The state weather agency Philippine Astronomic, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin said the center of the eye of typhoon Henry, which is almost stationary, was spotted at about 395 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes.
It packs maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center, with gusts measuring around 215 kph.
As this developed, PAGASA hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana). This means Batanes and Babuyan Islands can expect rains, with light to moderate, or even heavy rains at Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms can also be expected in Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas due to typhoon Henry and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
People in these areas are also alerted for possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate or sometimes heavy rains.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms, with possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms are also expected for the rest of the country.