Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Wednesday, July 8, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over several areas in Northern Luzon.
In its 5:00 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the super typhoon was estimated at 1,405 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. The cyclone was carrying maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 230 kilometers per hour, as it moved westward at 25 kilometers per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been placed over the following areas, where minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are expected:
- Batanes
- Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands
- Northern and central Isabela
- Apayao
- Eastern Kalinga
- Northern Aurora
- Northern and central Catanduanes
PAGASA warned that wind signals could still be upgraded to Signal No. 2 or even Signal No. 3 as the cyclone moves closer to the country.
The weather bureau also forecast periods of heavy rainfall due to the combined effects of Super Typhoon Inday and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat.
Strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect coastal and mountainous areas in Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
Gale warnings are also expected to be issued for the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, Super Typhoon Inday will continue moving west over the next 24 hours before turning northwest across the Philippine Sea. The cyclone is expected to make its closest approach to Extreme Northern Luzon on Friday, July 10, before heading toward southern Japan and northern Taiwan.
It is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday, July 11, and is expected to make landfall in mainland China on Sunday.
Although Inday is forecast to remain a super typhoon through Thursday morning, PAGASA said it is likely to weaken into a typhoon by Thursday afternoon or evening.