The weather bureau on Sunday upgraded cyclone “Danas” (formerly “Bising”) as a typhoon, threatening Batanes and other parts of northern Luzon.
In its 5 pm bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Danas had moved out of the country’s area of responsibility and was accelerating northeastward towards Taiwan.
PAGASA however has not ruled out the possibility of it re-entering the country either tonight or early Monday, but it is expected to exit immediately.
The combined effects of rains induced by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical depression “Bising” have affected over 13,000 individuals, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.
According to the disaster agency, these figures represent 3,773 families across three regions in the country. Central Luzon was hit hardest, with 12,039 individuals affected or 3,413 families. In the same region, 23 areas remain submerged under floodwaters, especially in some cities and municipalities in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales.
The Lubuagan–Batong Buhay–Abra boundary road in Kalinga has been declared impassable following a soil and rock collapse that cut off access to Kadamayan Falls, a well-known tourist destination.
PAGASA hoisted gale warnings over the seaboards of northern Luzon, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands.
Vessels are advised of risky sea travel due to prevailing weather conditions.
PAGASA, meanwhile, forecast heavy rainfall over several Luzon provinces attributed to the effects of the southwest monsoon. It said 50 to 100 millimeters of rain will shower Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan from Sunday until Monday.
As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has allocated a P3-billion standby fund and prepositioned relief stockpiles ready for calamities nationwide this year.
Interviewed over Super Radyo dzBB, Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said, “This will be used to respond to different requests of calamity-affected local government units (LGUs).”
More than three million family food packs have already been prepositioned at DSWD warehouses nationwide, she said. The agency has also tapped LGUs’ and private organizations’ warehouses to support its calamity response operations.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “‘Danas’ now a typhoon, threatens Batanes”