Ineng to bring heavy rains, gusty winds over Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rains with strong winds will continue to prevail over Northern Luzon today as severe Tropical Storm Ineng moves toward southern Taiwan and Batanes, the state weather bureau said.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 2 remained hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte.

Ineng dumped moderate to heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Ilocos provinces, Apayao, Kalinga and Abra yesterday.

The southwest monsoon, enhanced by Ineng, also brought light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Mindoro provinces, northern portion of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), Aklan, Antique, western portion of Iloilo, and the rest of Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Cagayan Valley.

PAGASA said Ineng was still not expected to make landfall in any part of the country. However, its eye will pass near Batanes this morning, bringing heavy rains and strong winds.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Ineng was spotted at 330 kilometers east southeast of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

It was forecast to move west northwest at a speed of 25 kph.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will persist over Ilocos region, CAR, Cagayan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Mindoro provinces and the northern portion of Palawan.

PAGASA advised residents in these areas to brace for possible floods and rain-induced landslides.

It also warned coastal communities in the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas against rough sea conditions.

Ineng, the ninth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second this month, is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tonight.