Typhoon Inday Nears PAR Exit; Signal No. 2 Now Limited to Itbayat

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) is nearing its exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as it moves northwest towards southern Japan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said early Saturday. In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, July 11, PAGASA said the center of Inday was estimated at 500 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. The typhoon is moving northwestward at 20 kph. The following area remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2: Under Signal No. 2, gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph may be experienced within 24 hours, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property. Meanwhile, the following areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1: Under Signal No. 1, strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph may be experienced within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property. PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Typhoon Inday will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country Saturday. By Sunday, July 12, gusty conditions are expected over most of Luzon and most of Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin and Davao Oriental. On Monday, July 13, strong to gale-force gusts may still affect most of Luzon, Panay Island and Negros Occidental. PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring heavy rainfall over parts of the country. The weather bureau forecasts the following rainfall due to the southwest monsoon: Saturday, July 11 Sunday, July 12 Monday, July 13 PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur, particularly in areas experiencing prolonged or intense rainfall. A gale warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Very rough to high seas are expected, with waves reaching up to 7 meters over the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes. Waves of up to 6 meters are forecast over the remaining seaboards of Batanes, while waves of up to 5 meters are expected over the coastal waters of the Babuyan Islands and Cagayan. PAGASA advised all mariners to remain in port or, if already at sea, seek shelter or safe harbor until winds and waves subside. Small seacraft operators, including those using motorbancas, were also advised not to venture out over coastal waters experiencing rough to very rough seas. PAGASA said Inday is forecast to continue moving northwestward and may make landfall or pass close to the Sakishima Islands in southern Japan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility this morning. The typhoon will then traverse the East China Sea before making landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China. Inday is forecast to remain a typhoon within the next 12 hours before weakening into a severe tropical storm after moving farther inland over mainland China.