Batanes under signal number 1 as Butchoy intensifies

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MANILA, Philippines – Storm warning signal number 1 was raised over the province of Batanes as Typhoon Butchoy strengthened further on Wednesday morning, July 6.

Butchoy now has maximum winds of 195 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.

As of 10 am, the typhoon was 860 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, still moving northwest at 30 km/h.

State weather bureau PAGASA said there would be moderate to heavy rains within Butchoy’s 550-km diameter.

The following are potential effects of strong winds in Batanes, according to PAGASA:

• Very light damage to low-risk structures
• Light damage to medium- to high-risk structures
• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities
• Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed, and leaves are generally damaged
• Twigs of small trees may be broken
• Rice crops may suffer significant damage if in flowering stage

PAGASA also advised fishermen not to set sail in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

Butchoy will not make landfall in the Philippines, but it is enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Earlier, PAGASA said there would be light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Davao.

The rest of the country will have isolated rains or thunderstorms.

Butchoy is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, July 8.

– Rappler.com