Batanes under wind signal 2; signal 1 in 4 areas - PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines — The weather bureau further downgraded the storm alert in Batanes to Signal No. 2 in the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 31, as Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) moves away from the country.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Batanes could encounter winds with minor to moderate threat to life and property.

The province could also have heavy to intense rains.

Signal No. 1, meanwhile, covers the rest of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains may occur in Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands.

“Leon” was last spotted 320 kilometers north northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or in the vicinity of Chiayi County, Taiwan. It is moving northwestward at 25 km per hour (kph).

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kph and gusts of up to 255 kph.