Salome maintains strength; Batanes still under Signal No. 2

October 23 ------ Tropical Storm Salome has maintained its strength while traversing the waters of Sabtang, Batanes, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA's 5 a.m. Thursday bulletin.

Salome was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h as of 4 a.m. It was traveling south southwestward at 20 km/h. Batanes is still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2. The western portion of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan Is., Dalupiri Is., Babuyan Is.) and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag City) are under Signal No. 1.

Batanes is expected to experience heavy rainfall until Friday. "Salome is now passing close over Batanes and is forecast to move generally southwestward throughout the forecast period due to the high-pressure area over mainland China. This weather disturbance may also pass close or over the Babuyan Islands by this morning and over Ilocos Norte by noon or afternoon," PAGASA said.

The tropical cyclone will gradually weaken until it becomes a remnant low on Friday, PAGASA said.

Source: gmanetwork.com