(UPDATE) Typhoon Kiko (Chanthu), the Philippines' strongest storm so far this year, neared super typhoon category on Friday afternoon, PAGASA said, as it raised Signal No. 4 in Babuyan Islands.
Kiko, the 11th storm of 2021, slightly intensified on approach to land, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and 265 kph gusts. At 4 p.m., it was spotted 190 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
When a typhoon packs winds of up to 220 kph, it will be called a supertyphoon, according to PAGASA's five-step scale.
Kiko can still make landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan on Friday night, weather forecaster Chris Perez said. The typhoon is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday evening at the earliest.
Earlier this week, Severe Tropical Storm Jolina (Conson) flooded parts of Central and Southern Luzon. The two cyclones will enhance monsoon rains west of the country.
Signal no. 4 (171-220 kph winds)
- Northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is.)
It may cause heavy damage to high-risk structures, considerable damage to structures made of light materials, unroof houses, possible wall collapse, with signs and billboards blown down. Expect extensive damage to plantations.
Signal no. 3 (121-170 kph winds)
- Extreme northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)
- Rest of Babuyan Islands
- Batanes
PAGASA warns of heavy damage to high-risk structures, increasing damage to old, dilapidated residential structures or houses made of light materials with big trees possibly uprooted or blown down.
Signal no. 2 (61-120 kph winds)
- Northern, central, and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Tuguegarao City, Iguig, Amulung, Alcala, Allacapan, Lasam, Ballesteros, Abulug)
- Northeastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan)
- Northeastern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol)
Winds could cause light to moderate damage to high-risk structures, while old, dilapidated structures or makeshift shanties may be damaged or unroofed.
Signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds)
- Rest of mainland Cagayan
- Eastern portion of Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Vintar, Carasi, Nueva Era, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Laoag City, Piddig, Solsona, Dingras, Sarrat, San Nicolas)
- Rest of Apayao
- Northern portion of Kalinga (Balbalan, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk, Rizal)
- Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis)
- Northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong)
- Northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Santa Maria, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Dinapigue, San Mariano, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Quirino, Burgos, Gamu, Ilagan City, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven)
- Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
This means possible light to medium damage to low risk structures, and slight damage to houses made of very light materials in exposed communities.
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