Storm signal No. 1 hoisted over Batanes as 'Kiko' intensifies

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised yesterday public storm signal No. 1 over Batanes as typhoon “Kiko” continued to intensify.

Pagasa senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi said the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila, would experience moderate to heavy rains until the weekend due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Sawi said Kiko is expected to make landfall in Taiwan today.

Sawi said as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Kiko was spotted some 450 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, and packing winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

It is forecast to move west at 22 kph.

Pagasa deputy administrator Nathaniel Cruz warned operators of fishing boats and other small vessels to avoid the surge of the southwest monsoon associated with the typhoon.

He also warned the public of possible landslides and flashfloods due to heavy rains.

“Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides,” he said.

Kiko is expected to be 440 kilometers north of Basco or 50 kms south of Taipei, Taiwan this afternoon and 730 kms from Basco tomorrow morning.

Cruz said Kiko is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility today and move toward northern Taiwan.

Kiko is the 11th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

The storm left the country’s area of responsibility on Tuesday, but it returned Tuesday night due to its interaction with a high-pressure area east of Japan, changing its path from northeast to west-northwest and headed towards the Batanes area.

Classes suspended in some Metro Manila areas

The Department of Education (DepEd) said local officials suspended afternoon classes in the pre-school, elementary and high schools in Manila, Valenzuela City, Taguig, Pateros, Pasay City and Caloocan City due to heavy rains brought by Kiko.

The weather bureau said Kiko was unlikely to make landfall but it would continue to bring moderate rains over the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and western Visayas in the next two to three days.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that P22-million worth of infrastructure was damaged in five regions by tropical storm “Jolina” last week.

DPWH spokesman and Undersecretary for Luzon Romeo Momo said that landslides have damaged portions of national highways in seven provinces.

“The concerned field offices are given 24 hours to clear up the road blocks and fix the damage. If the damage is extensive and would require two days or more to be repaired then they should alert the DPWH head office and install proper notices to the public,” he said.

He said most of the damage was reported in Western Visayas, particularly the Manduriao-San Miguel-Alimodian Road-Eloisa Bridge in Alimodian, Iloilo that sustained damage estimated at P15 million.

The DPWH Regional Office installed warning signs and temporarily built a seven-span bailey bridge.

Cagayan Valley Region sustained damage worth P5 million. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan, Arnell Ozaeta, AP