Tropical depression Obet maintains strength, moves west-southwestward

Tropical depression Obet maintained its strength as it continued to move west-southwest toward northern Luzon on Wednesday evening, Oct. 19, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

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

Its location is estimated to be 880 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon around 10 p.m. It is moving west-southwest at a speed of 10 kph.

“On the track forecast, the center of Obet may traverse extreme Northern Luzon or the northern portion of mainland Northern Luzon between Friday evening (Oct. 21) and Saturday morning (Oct. 22),” PAGASA said.

From early Friday to early Saturday, moderate to intense rains may affect the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Light to heavy rains are also possible over Batanes, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of mainland Cagayan.

From Saturday morning until afternoon, light to heavy rains may prevail over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of Abra and Ilocos Sur.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA warned.

However, the shear line may bring heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in 24 hours.

“Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted in some areas in Northern Luzon tomorrow morning (Oct. 20) at the earliest. Nevertheless, the prevailing northeasterly surface wind flow will bring strong to gale-force winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in the next 24 hours,” PAGASA said.

The highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Obet is Signal No. 2, as it may intensify into a tropical storm by late Friday or early Saturday.