By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Aug. 20 (PNA) — Nineteen provinces in Luzon are now under Public Storm Warning Signals Thursday afternoon even as typhoon “Ineng” slightly weakened and moved slowly, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said.
In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Robert Badrina said that as of 5 p.m., the eye of the typhoon was located based on all available data at 300 km East of Calayan, Cagayan (19.1°N, 124.3°E).
He said the maximum wind of the typhoon has weakened from 180 kilometers per hour to 170 kph near the center and gustiness also decreased from 215 kph to 205 kph.
Badrina explained the weakening of the typhoon was due to environmental condition, which was not favorable to intensify.
He also said the movement of the typhoon had changed from west to west northwest and the speed decelerated from 13 kph to 11 kph.
He added the eyewall of the Typhoon Ineng will be in the vicinity of Batanes on Friday afternoon.
The areas under Signal No. 3 (winds of 101-185 kph expected in at least 18 hours) are Batanes Group of Islands, Northern Cagayan, including Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands
Storm surge of up to 2.5 meters is possible at coastal areas, PAGASA said.
PAGASA said the rest of Cagayan, Northern Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Norte are now under PSWS No. 2 (winds of 61-100 kph expected in at least 24 hours).
The wave height is 4.1 to 14 meters and storm surge is possible along coastal areas.
PSWS No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in at least 36 hours) is still hoisted over the provinces of rest of Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet, La Union and Ilocos Sur.
The open sea wave height is 1.25-4 meters.
PAGASA alerted residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under PSWS#3, #2 and #1 against possible flash floods and landslides while storm surges of up to 2.5 meters are possible along the coastal areas of Cagayan.
The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 600-km diameter of the typhoon.
Badrina said the typhoon-enhanced “Habagat” will bring occasional rains over the Metro Manila area, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region and Western Visayas.
If it maintains its speed and movement, typhoon “Ineng” is expected to exit in PAR by Sunday evening headed towards Japan, Badrina said.
Fisher folk are advised not to venture out over the eastern and southern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboards of Samar provinces. (PNA)