Typhoon Inday (international name: BAVI) has lost some of its strength while advancing northwest over the Philippine Sea, but state meteorologists warned on Friday that its massive size will keep pulling in the Southwest Monsoon (habagat), triggering turbulent weather across the country.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the typhoon was spotted 620 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes at 4:00 a.m. Friday.
It now holds maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 185 km/h, traveling at a pace of 20 km/h. Because the storm’s gale-force winds reach out up to 860 kilometers from its core, weather authorities stress that it remains highly dangerous.
Storm Signals Raised
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains active over Batanes, the eastern Babuyan Islands, and northeastern Cagayan, including Santa Ana.
PAGASA cautioned that the expected winds of 62 to 88 km/h in these locations present a “minor to moderate threat to life and property.”
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the rest of the Babuyan Islands, remaining areas of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, and parts of Abra, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, where wind speeds could hit 39 to 61 km/h.
Flooding Risks and Sea Travel Ban
The weather bureau has advised communities to prepare for heavy downpours that could cause landslides and flash floods. A Gale Warning is also operational along the northern and eastern coasts of Luzon, where waves near Batanes could tower up to seven meters high.
Describing maritime travel as “extremely risky,” PAGASA has ordered all vessels to remain at port.
Smaller watercraft and fishing boats across Luzon, Visayas, and portions of Mindanao have been strictly prohibited from venturing out into the turbulent waters.
Projected Movement
Inday is expected to make its closest approach to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday evening and Saturday morning before steering toward southern Japan and northern Taiwan.
The typhoon is on track to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon.
By Saturday night or early Sunday, it is projected to make landfall over eastern mainland China, where it will likely degrade into a severe tropical storm. Local disaster units have urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow safety directives and evacuation protocols.