Signal 5 in parts of Batanes due to ‘Leon’

Metro Manila, Philippines — The northern and eastern portions of Batanes were under Signal No. 5 as Super Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) approached the extreme northern Luzon province, the state weather bureau said early Thursday, Oct. 31.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned people in Itbayat and the provincial capital of Basco of destructive winds that pose threat to life and property.

The rest of Batanes was under Signal No. 4.

PAGASA said “Leon” will be closest to Batanes within the next three hours and “has reached its peak intensity while passing close to Batanes.”

Government meteorologists said a possible landfall in the province was “now becoming less likely.”

The weather bureau raised a storm surge alert for the coastal communities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

Intense torrential rains are also expected in Batanes.

Here are the areas under storm alerts:

Signal No. 3: The northern portion of Babuyan Islands;

Signal No. 2: The rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte;

Signal No. 1: The rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora.

“Leon” was last spotted 100 kilometers (km) east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwestward at 20 km per hour (kph).

The super typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

“Leon” is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday, cross landmass, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by the evening at the earliest.