Obet to dump heavy rain over Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Obet is expected to continue dumping moderate to heavy and at times intense rains over Northern Luzon provinces today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance may intensify into a tropical storm as it continues to move westward.

“Today through tomorrow early morning: moderate to heavy with at times intense rains likely over Batanes, Babuyan Islands and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte, Apayao and mainland Cagayan,” the state weather bureau announced yesterday.

“Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over the rest of Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte,” PAGASA added, noting that Obet was located 205 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes yesterday morning packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kms per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 55 kph and central pressure of 1004 hPa (hectopascals) moving at 20 kph.

Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Batanes, Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, particularly in Santa Ana and Gonzaga.

PAGASA said Obet is forecast to move westward until today and its center is likely to pass over or very close to Batanes between Friday afternoon or evening as it exits the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday.

“Obet is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category between tomorrow early morning and afternoon, although the possibility of a slightly earlier intensification to tropical storm category is not ruled out,” state weather forecasters said.

“Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” they warned.

PAGASA said flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.