Fewer areas under signal no. 1 as Kiko changes direction

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MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Kiko shifted northwest and slightly accelerated en route to extreme Northern Luzon late Tuesday morning, September 5.

In a bulletin issued 11 am on Tuesday, PAGASA said Kiko is already 350 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving northwest at a slightly faster 17 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 15 km/h. Its previous direction was west northwest.

It continues to have maximum winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 65 km/h.

Since Kiko changed its direction, there are now fewer areas under signal number 1 –just northern Cagayan including the Babuyan Group of Islands, as well as Batanes.

Kiko is expected to pass extreme Northern Luzon by Tuesday evening, and then be closest to Batanes by Wednesday morning, September 6.

PAGASA also warned that Kiko would bring moderate to heavy rain in Northern Luzon beginning Tuesday. Residents should be on alert for possible flash floods and landslides.

Light to moderate rain is also expected in the rest of Luzon as well as Western Visayas. (READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Tuesday, September 5)

Because of the tropical depression, sea travel is risky in the eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon.

Kiko is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday morning, September 7.

– Rappler.com