Even after crossing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Typhoon Kiyapo has rapidly gained strength, prompting state weather bureau PAGASA to keep Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 active across portions of Northern Luzon due to the storm’s extensive reach.
In its 5:00 a.m. advisory on Saturday, July 25, PAGASA reported that as of 4:00 a.m., the typhoon’s center was tracked roughly 320 kilometers west of Basco, Batanes.
Kiyapo is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center, gusts reaching up to 150 km/h, and a central pressure of 975 hPa.
Heading west-northwest at 25 km/h, the cyclone’s strong to typhoon-force winds span outward up to 470 kilometers.
TCWS No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, the western section of the Babuyan Islands, northwestern mainland Cagayan, northern Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. These regions face strong winds between 39 and 61 km/h, posing a low-level risk to life and property.
Despite the storm’s exit, the combined effects of Typhoon Kiyapo and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) are expected to unleash strong to gale-force gusts over vast stretches of Luzon, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, and Davao Oriental.
Local authorities and residents are urged to stay alert for heavy rainfall advisories, as monsoon rains enhanced by Kiyapo could trigger flash floods and landslides in high-risk zones.
Dangerous marine conditions persist, with a gale warning active for Northern Luzon’s northern seaboard. Seas could reach hazardous heights of up to 4.5 meters off Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and northern Ilocos Norte, rendering sea travel unsafe for all watercraft. Seafarers are advised to remain docked or seek shelter immediately.
Forecasters project Kiyapo to track northwest toward southern mainland China, where landfall is anticipated within the next 12 hours. The system may intensify slightly before making landfall, followed by rapid weakening once it moves inland.
PAGASA advises the public and regional disaster management councils to closely monitor updates, exercise caution, and prepare for potential hazards.