Tropical Depression Kiyapo May Make Landfall in Babuyan Islands Friday Afternoon-Evening

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kiyapo may make landfall in the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon or evening, the state weather bureau said on Thursday. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kiyapo was last located 640 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, as of 4 p.m. READ: Kiyapo putting 6,947 barangays at risk of landslides, floods – OCD Kiyapo maintained its strength, still carrying a maximum wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It accelerated as it was moving northwestward at 25 kph. Pagasa said that the tropical depression will continue moving west-northwestward until Saturday towards Luzon Strait before heading northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period. “On the forecast track, the center of KIYAPO may pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between tomorrow (July 24) morning and afternoon, then pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands between tomorrow afternoon and evening,” the bureau noted. Kiyapo is also forecast to develop into a tropical storm on Friday and will continue to strengthen while traversing the Extreme Northern Luzon. It may reach a severe tropical storm category after moving past the Babuyan Islands. Pagasa also said that Kiyapo may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the bureau shared that Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte will experience heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall) from Thursday to Friday afternoon. Moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 mm of rainfall) will prevail over Isabela, Batanes, and Ilocos Sur on the same dates. /mr