MANILA – Several areas in northern Luzon are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing) holds its strength, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported early Wednesday (06 Nov 2024).
In a 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA noted that areas affected by Signal No. 2 include the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Babuyan Is.) and northeastern mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Buguey).
Regions under TCWS No. 1, which can expect strong winds, include Batanes, the rest of Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, parts of Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and northern Aurora.
Gale-force gusts influenced by northeasterly wind flow will also impact Ilocos Region, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
As of 4 a.m., Marce was situated 345 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near its center with gustiness up to 170 kph. PAGASA warns of a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge, reaching 2 to 3 meters above normal tide levels in low-lying coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
A gale warning has also been issued for the seaboards of northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, making sea travel risky for vessels of all types.
The weather bureau forecasts Typhoon Marce to intensify further, potentially making landfall or passing near Babuyan Islands or northern mainland Cagayan from Thursday to Friday. Marce is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday night.
ia/mnm
