Signal No. 1 still up in some Luzon areas due to ‘Maymay’

Tropical depression Maymay continues to move toward Central Luzon on Wednesday evening, Oct. 12, but is likely to weaken into a remnant low prior to landfall, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In the 11 p.m. bulletin released on Wednesday, PAGASA said Maymay has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

It was last seen 70 kilometers (km) east of Casiguran, Aurora and is moving westward at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the eastern portions of Isabela and Quirino and the northern portion of Aurora because of strong winds that may be experienced in these areas.

“Tropical depression Maymay is forecast to continue moving generally westward towards the eastern coast of Isabela or Aurora. This tropical depression is forecast to deteriorate into a remnant low within the next 12 hours prior to landfall,” PAGASA said.

Although it is expected to dissipate into a remnant low, PAGASA said that moderate to intense rains may prevail over Cagayan, Isabela, and Apayao until early Thursday, Oct. 13.

Meanwhile, light to heavy rains may prevail over Batanes, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps,” PAGASA said.

Tropical depression outside PAR

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is still likely to enter the region by Thursday and move toward the extreme Northern Luzon in the next few days.

PAGASA estimated its location 1,830 km east of Northern Luzon around 10 p.m., Wednesday.

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph, while moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

“The tropical depression is forecast to continue moving northwestward in the next 24 hours. On the track forecast, the tropical cyclone may enter the PAR region tomorrow morning or afternoon (Oct. 13). After it enters the PAR, the tropical depression will move westward towards the extreme Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.

Once inside the PAR, the tropical depression will be given the local name “Neneng.”

It also said there is a “high likelihood” that tropical cyclone wind signals will be hoisted over Batanes and several provinces in Northern Luzon.

“The highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 2,” PAGASA said.

“The passage of this tropical cyclone over extreme Northern Luzon may bring heavy rainfall over the area beginning Saturday (Oct. 15),” it added.