Photo courtesy of PAGASA
MANILA (UPDATE) - Typhoon Kiko (international name: Chanthu) has slightly weakened as it moves away from the Philippines, heading toward Taiwan early Sunday morning, the state weather bureau said.
Kiko was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 215 kph, moving north at 15 kph as its center was located at 4 a.m. at 245 km north of Itbayat, Batanes, PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
As of 10 a.m., it kept its strength but moved slightly faster north northeastward at 20 kph. It was last estimated 395 km north of
Itbayat, according to PAGASA's 11 a.m. bulletin.
The typhoon is forecast to move generally northward over the sea east of Taiwan and the East China Sea throughout the forecast period.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 is hoisted over Batanes as the typhoon is expected to bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over the province, PAGASA said.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are expected over Babuyan Islands, it added.
Power went out in Batanes on Saturday as Typhoon Kiko hit the province, which saw trees and utility posts toppled.
PAGASA said rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 5.0 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
It advised mariners to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.
Kiko will also continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera
Administrative Region, and the western section of Central Luzon in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said.
The typhoon is projected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Sunday afternoon or evening. While it is expected to weaken further, it will remain within typhoon category while in the PAR, PAGASA added.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued 5 p.m., Sunday.
RELATED VIDEO