MANILA – Northern Luzon is experiencing strong winds and heavy rains as Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey) passes close to Batanes, according to the weather bureau on Thursday.

Heavy rainfall over Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands may cause flooding and landslides in flood-prone areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported as of 5 a.m.

Local disaster response teams in Batanes noted that the towns of Uyugan, Sabtang, and Mahatao were already experiencing strong winds and heavy rains early Thursday.

Most of Northern Luzon is forecasted to see light to moderate, occasionally heavy, rainfall.

Typhoon Leon currently has maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near its center, with gusts reaching up to 240 kph. As of the latest update, it was located 100 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

Wind Signals and Impacted Areas

TCWS No. 5: Strong typhoon-force winds are expected over the northern and eastern portions of Batanes, including Itbayat and Basco.

TCWS No. 4: The rest of Batanes will experience typhoon-force winds.

TCWS No. 3: The northern portion of the Babuyan Islands, including Babuyan and Calayan, will see storm-force winds.

TCWS No. 2: Gale-force winds are expected across the rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northern part of Isabela, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

TCWS No. 1: Strong winds will affect the rest of Isabela, Quirino, parts of Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and portions of Aurora.

Leon is also anticipated to bring gale-force winds to most of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and parts of Western Visayas.

Storm Surge and Sea Travel

PAGASA has warned of a high risk of life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3 meters above normal tide levels, affecting low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next 48 hours. A gale warning is also in effect for the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon. Sea travel remains dangerous for all types of vessels.

While the likelihood of Leon making landfall in Batanes is decreasing, it is projected to weaken into a typhoon within the next 12 hours.

ia/mnm