Typhoon Kiko is forecast to spawn heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands and northern Isabela this Friday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned the residents of scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides, especially in highly or very highly susceptible areas as identified in hazard maps.
“Based on the latest track and intensity forecast, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 4 remains the highest wind signal that will be hoisted for this typhoon,” it stated in its Thursday’s 5 p.m. bulletin.
Signal no. 1 was raised in Batanes; Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands; the northeastern portion of Apayao, and the northeastern portion of Isabela.
The center of the eye of Kiko was at 550 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 195 km/hour near the center, gustiness of up to 240 km/h, and central pressure of 930 hPa, it was moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h.
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi directed the Task Force on Energy Resiliency to coordinate and ensure quick power restoration to affected areas of tropical storm Jolina while initiating preparations for Kiko.
Cusi asked energy utilities as well as other industry players to intensify their preparation and readiness to respond and help the affected areas as soon as possible.
Tropical storm Jolina is itself on its way out of the country and was estimated to be at 145 kilometers West Northwest of Iba, Zambales.
“We are asking all the energy public utilities and industry players with their facilities affected by Tropical Storm Jolina to fast track their restoration activities, and at the same time, prepare and be ready for the incoming Typhoon Kiko,” Cusi said.
Kiko was moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Aurora.
“Due to the strength of this typhoon, coastal inundation associated with high waves near the coast and storm surge of up to 2.0 meters may affect several coastal municipalities in Northern Luzon.
The public and disaster managers, especially those in localities of Northern Luzon are advised to monitor for updates,” Pagasa said.
“On the forecast track, the typhoon is forecast to pass very close to northeastern Cagayan and cross the vicinity of Babuyan Islands and Batanes between tomorrow (Friday) afternoon and Saturday afternoon,” it added.
Based on the recent track forecasts of Kiko, the possibility of landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan is not yet ruled out,” the weather bureau said.
The typhoon is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon and would move north-northeastward toward the East China Sea.