Super Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) has exited the country’s area of responsibility, leading to the lifting of all tropical cyclone wind signals in Northern Luzon. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the eye of Goring was last located 265 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes at 10 p.m. The typhoon maintained maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph.
Even though Goring is outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), its trough or extension is expected to bring heavy rains to Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and the western portions of Pangasinan and Apayao until Thursday.
Meanwhile, a severe tropical storm named “Haikui” entered the PAR and was given the local name “Hanna.” Hanna was last spotted 1,335 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, moving northwestward. It had maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph. PAGASA stated that Hanna is forecasted to remain far from the Philippine landmass and may exit the PAR on Friday afternoon or evening while approaching the Ryukyu Islands.
Although Hanna is not expected to directly impact the Philippines, the southwest monsoon or “habagat” is being enhanced by both Goring and Hanna, which may bring occasional rains over the western portions of Luzon and the Visayas, including Metro Manila, for the next three days. PAGASA also mentioned that the habagat is further intensified by another tropical storm named “Kirogi,” currently located outside the PAR.
PAGASA warned that under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that have experienced significant amounts of rainfall in recent days.
