'Obet' posible maging tropical storm; Signal no. 2 maari itaas — PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — Napanatili ng Tropical Depression Obet ang lakas nito habang tinutumbok ang Luzon Strait, ayon sa pinakahuling taya ng PAGASA, Biyernes.

Namataan ng state meteorologists ang sentro ng bagyo 235 kilometro silangan ng Basco, Batanes bandang 7 a.m. kanina.

• Lakas ng hangin: 45 kilometro kada oras malapit sa gitna
• Bugso ng hangin: hanggang 55 kilometro kada oras
• Pagkilos: 30 kilometro kada oras
• Direksyon: pakanluran

"Today through tomorrow early morning: Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains likely over Batanes and Babuyan Islands and possible over the northern portions of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and mainland Cagayan," babala ng PAGASA.

"Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte."

Maaaring maranasan ang malalakas na hangin (strong breeze hanggang near gale strength) sa anumang lugar kung saan nakataas ang Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 1.

Signal no. 1

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• hilagangsilangang bahagi ng mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga)

"[T]he hoisting of Wind Signal No. 2 (for gale-force winds) remains possible should OBET reach tropical storm category prior or during its traverse of the Luzon Strait – a scenario that is not ruled out at this time," dagdag pa nila.

"OBET is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category between tonight and tomorrow morning, although the possibility of a slightly earlier intensification to tropical storm category is not ruled out."

Ayon pa sa forecast, kikilos ang bagyo pakanluran hanggang Sabado. Malaki rin daw ang pag-asang tatawid ang sentro nito o lalapit nang husto sa Batanes-Babuyan Islands ngayong hapon o gabi.

Nakikitang lalabas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility ang bagyong Obet bukas ng umaga. — James Relativo