Malacañang on Friday urged the public to remain alert even though Typhoon “Henry” (Hinnamnor) weakened.
“While the threat to life and property is minimal, we advise the public and disaster responders to monitor the announcements related to the typhoon,” the Office of the Press Secretary said in a Facebook post.
“Henry” weakened further Friday, as it slowly moved northwestward over the Philippine Sea east northeast of Batanes, according to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin released by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph.
It is forecast to weaken in the next 12 hours but may intensify on Saturday morning as it begins to move northward.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over Batanes, where winds may reach gale-force strength.
TCWS No. 1 was raised over Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana) where strong breezes to near gale strength winds will be experienced.
In the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon will bring rains over Isabela, the western portion of Central Luzon, and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“Henry” is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday said it is verifying reports of a lone fatality recorded in the CAR that might be attributed to “Henry.”
In an update, the agency said it is still getting the details of the incident as well as reports of injuries and missing persons due to the weather disturbance.
Only one house was reported “totally damaged” so far in the CAR. No other damage reports were available so far.
The NDRRMC earlier ordered its affiliates to prepare for the typhoon.
It also said the government has prepared at least P600 million in funds and 500,000 food packs to assist local government units (LGUs) that may be hit by Typhoon “Henry.”
NDRRMC spokesman Raffy Alejandro said the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) has also made available non-food relief items including tarpaulins and other family packs.
Alejandro said no reports of forced evacuation have been received so far. However, the agency advised LGUs in high-risk areas to observe and implement their preventive measures.
He said almost 224 high-risk barangays in Ilocos Region are prone to landslides, while at least 44 barangays in the CAR are also at high risk for disasters
Two roads in the CAR were closed to traffic due to heavy rains caused by Typhoon “Henry” and the southwest monsoon, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
The Bureau of Maintenance reported the closure of landslide-prone Kennon Road for safety reasons while the Apayao – Ilocos Norte Road section in Madatag, Kabugao, Apayao province was also closed due to landslides on Friday noon.
Clearing operations along the road sections were temporarily put on hold due to bad weather and the unstable slope.
While Kennon Road is closed, the DPWH advised motorists heading to Baguio City to take the Marcos Highway, the Baguio-Bauang Road, or Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road as alternate routes.