MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kiyapo maintained its strength early Thursday as it moved west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Central Luzon, with Signal No. 1 in effect over parts of Northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, July 23, PAGASA said Kiyapo was located 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 55 kph and a central pressure of 1002 hectopascals.

Kiyapo is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

Wind signals. The following areas are under Signal No. 1:

  • Batanes
  • Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
  • Isabela
  • Apayao
  • Abra
  • Kalinga
  • Eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Sadanga, Bontoc, Besao and Sagada)
  • Eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon and Lagawe)
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso and San Vicente)
  • Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag and Casiguran)

Under Signal No. 1, strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph may be experienced within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

Strong winds. PAGASA said the enhanced southwest monsoon and Kiyapo's circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Mindanao, Siquijor, Bohol and Southern Leyte on Thursday, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

By Friday, July 24, gusty conditions are expected over most of the country. On Saturday, July 25, strong to gale-force gusts may affect most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands and Davao Oriental.

Heavy rainfall. PAGASA said Kiyapo and the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring heavy rainfall over parts of the country.

Due to Kiyapo, the following rainfall is forecast:

Friday, July 24

  • Heavy rainfall (100-200 mm): Cagayan and Apayao
  • Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Batanes, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra and Ilocos Norte

Saturday, July 25

  • Heavy rainfall (100-200 mm): Apayao, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur
  • Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Cagayan, Batanes, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet and La Union

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is forecast to bring:

Thursday, July 23

  • Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani

Friday, July 24

  • Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Antique, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental

Saturday, July 25

  • Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm): Occidental Mindoro and Antique

PAGASA warned that rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. The weather bureau added that flooding and rain-induced landslides may be more likely in areas that have already experienced significant rainfall.

Sea conditions. PAGASA said a gale warning may be issued later Thursday or early Friday over the seaboards of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Rough seas with waves of up to 3 meters are expected over the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental, where small seacraft, including motor bancas, are advised not to venture out.

Moderate to rough seas with waves of up to 2.5 meters are forecast over the eastern seaboard of Surigao del Sur, while waves of up to 2 meters are expected over the eastern seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands; the western seaboards of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani; and the seaboards of Davao Occidental.

PAGASA advised operators of motor bancas and similarly sized vessels to exercise caution and, if possible, avoid sailing in affected waters.

Track, intensity. PAGASA said Kiyapo is forecast to continue moving west-northwestward until Saturday toward the Luzon Strait before turning northwestward.

The tropical depression may pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Friday morning and afternoon before passing very close to or making landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.

It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or noon.

Kiyapo is expected to gradually intensify over the Philippine Sea and may become a tropical storm by Friday.

It may further strengthen into a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands before weakening as it makes landfall over southern mainland China and moves farther inland.