Storm wind signals have been raised across several areas of Luzon as Typhoon Bavi, locally known as Inday, brings life‑threatening winds and intensifies the southwest monsoon that will bring heavy rain to the western part of the country, the state weather bureau announced Thursday.
Storm Wind Signal No. 2 was issued for Batanes, where minor to moderate life‑threatening winds are expected within the next 24 hours, according to the 11:00 a.m. advisory.
Storm Wind Signal No. 1 covers multiple provinces in Luzon, with minimal to minor life‑threatening winds forecast for the next 36 hours. Affected areas include Cagayan (including the Babuyan Islands), Isabela, the northeastern part of Quirino, Apayao, northern Abra, Kalinga, eastern Mountain Province, eastern Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, northern Aurora, and the northern and central parts of Catanduanes.
Although Typhoon Bavi has weakened from its peak super‑typhoon intensity, officials cautioned that its impact should not be underestimated, as it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon. Residents were urged to maintain preparedness despite the storm’s reduced strength.
The latest advisory recorded maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h with gusts up to 205 km/h, positioning the system approximately 865 km east of Northern Luzon.
A heavy‑rainfall warning now applies to seven regions—Batanes, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur—anticipating 50 to 100 mm of rain within the next 24 hours.
Officials warned that intense rainfall combined with the strengthened monsoon could trigger flooding, especially in areas with narrow waterways, and advised residents to follow evacuation orders from local disaster‑risk management offices.
Typhoon Bavi is projected to pass near extreme northern Luzon between Friday morning and Saturday morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or early afternoon.
