'Josie' maintains strength as it moves closer to Ilocos Norte

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Josie maintained its strength on Saturday as it moved closer to Ilocos Norte, the state weather bureau said. 

"Josie" still has maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour.

As of 4 p.m. Saturday, "Josie" was 55 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, moving east northeast at 25 kilometers per hour. 

Signal number 1 is still hoisted over the following areas:

• Batanes
• northern Cagayan
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Ilocos Norte
• northern portion of Ilocos Sur
• Apayao
• northern portion of Abra

PAGASA said scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

The state weather bureau warned residents in the said areas, "especially those living near river channels, in low-lying and in mountainous areas to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslide, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices and continue monitoring for updates."

Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the rest of Central Luzon and of Cagayan Valley and Mindoro provinces, on the other hand, will experience scattered light to moderate with occasional heavy rains.

"Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon, especially in areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1," PAGASA noted.

Forecast positions

• 24 hour (Sunday afternoon): 220 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes 
• 48 hour (Monday afternoon): 540 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes 
• 72 hour (Tuesday afternoon): 1,115 kilometers north of Basco, Batanes (outside PAR)