Inday enters PAR; Signal No. 1 up in parts of Luzon

MANILA, July 8 ------ Super Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau said.

Inday was located 1,405 km. east of Northern Luzon as of 4 a.m., moving westward at 25 km. per hour (kph). It packs maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 230 kph. Strong winds will prevail in areas Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and central portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Aurora, Santa Maria, Quezon, San Mariano, Naguilian, Dinapigue, Roxas, Luna, Delfin Albano, City of Cauayan, San Pablo, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, Tumauini, Cabagan, Reina Mercedes, San Manuel, Palanan, Cabatuan, Quirino, Divilacan, Gamu, Mallig, Maconacon, Burgos, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Alicia, San Mateo), Apayao, the eastern portion of Kalinga (Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk, Rizal), the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag), and the northern and central portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, Baras, San Miguel).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the enhanced southwest monsoon and Inday's periphery will also cause strong to gale-force gusts across Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Calabarzon, most of Mimaropa, Bicol Region, most of Visayas, and most of Mindanao. Gale warning will be issued today over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, PAGASA added.

Meanwhile, Inday is forecast to downgrade into a typhoon and gradually weaken starting Thursday. The cyclone will exit PAR on Saturday, PAGASA said.

Source: pna.gov.ph