Typhoon Danas (formerly Bising) may reenter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Sunday or early Monday, according to the state weather bureau, as the cyclone continues to intensify while moving over Batanes seaboard.
In its Tropical Cyclone Advisory issued 11 a.m. Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of Danas was located 385 km west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 a.m.
It is packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.
The typhoon is moving north-northeastward at 10 km/h and is expected to slightly veer eastward, possibly re-entering the northwestern edge of PAR by Sunday night or early Monday morning before exiting shortly thereafter.
“Danas is forecast to steadily intensify over the next 24 hours. A weakening trend is expected over the East China Sea due to unfavorable conditions,” PAGASA stated.
A gale warning has been raised over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon due to strong winds and high waves.
PAGASA warned of very rough seas of up to 4.5 meters along the seaboards of Batanes and western Babuyan Islands, making sea travel risky for all types of vessels.
Other affected areas include: western seaboard of Ilocos Norte – rough seas up to 3.5 meters; northwestern seaboard of Ilocos Sur and other Ilocos Norte seaboards – moderate seas up to 2.5 meters; and western coasts of La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales – moderate seas up to 2.0 meters.
“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions,” PAGASA cautioned, especially those operating ill-equipped vessels.
The agency urged local government units, residents in affected areas and disaster risk reduction offices to continue monitoring for official updates and bulletins, particularly in northern coastal provinces vulnerable to strong winds and waves.*PNA