Tropical Depression Kiyapo Likely to Intensify into Storm; Signal No. 1 Up in Over a Dozen Areas

Tropical Depression Kiyapo, which has prompted the hoisting of Storm Signal No. 1 in more than a dozen areas, is likely to intensify into a tropical storm by Friday, according to the state weather bureau on Thursday. Kiyapo was last located 830 kilometers east of Central Luzon and may intensify into a tropical storm as it moves near the Babuyan Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said during its 11:30 a.m. press conference. “This means that Storm Signal No. 2 may possibly be raised by PAGASA,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said during the press conference. Under Storm Signal No. 2, PAGASA warned that winds may pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property. As of the forecast period, Kiyapo remains a tropical depression, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is moving northwestward at 25 kph. PAGASA has raised Storm Signal No. 1 in more than a dozen areas due to the effects of Kiyapo. These include Batanes; Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands; Isabela; Apayao; Abra; and Kalinga. Storm Signal No. 1 has likewise been hoisted over the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province, the eastern and central portions of Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the northeastern portion of Aurora, the northern portion of Quirino, and the northernmost portion of Nueva Vizcaya. Under Storm Signal No. 1, strong winds are expected within the next 36 hours, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property. Based on Tropical Depression Kiyapo’s forecast track, it is expected to pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon. It may then pass very close to or make landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening. Kiyapo is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or noon. While its center remains relatively far from any of the country’s landmasses, parts of the country are already experiencing heavy rainfall as the tropical depression enhances the southwest monsoon. PAGASA has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Cagayan effective from Thursday to Friday, where 50 to 100 millimeters of rain are expected. More areas are expected to be placed under rainfall warnings on Friday. — Edg Adrian A. Eva