This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows typhoon Yutu.
MANILA - The state weather bureau on Monday upgraded storm signals as typhoon Rosita (Yutu) roared closer to towards Luzon, threatening the region with floods and possible storm surges and landslides.
At 7 a.m., Rosita was spotted 510 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour and 210 kph gusts, said PAGASA.
The typhoon is expected to hit land in the Isabela-Aurora area early Tuesday, PAGASA meteorologist Benison Estareja told radio DZMM.
Ten areas were placed under signal 2, including Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Polillo Island, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya.
These areas may be whipped by 120 kph winds that can topple banana trees, rip off the roofs of nipa and cogon houses, and damage rice and corn crops, warned PAGASA.
Signal 1, meanwhile, was raised over the following areas, which could experience up to 60 kph winds.
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Abra
- Apayao
- Batanes
- Babuyan Group of Islands
- Nueva Ecija
- Pampanga
- Tarlac
- Northern Quezon
- Rizal
- Bulacan
- Metro Manila
- Laguna
- Batangas
- Bataan
- Zambales
- Cavite
- Camarines Norte
Starting Monday night, Rosita will dump moderate to heavy rains that may trigger floods and landslides in northern and Central Luzon, said PAGASA.
Strong to very strong winds will also whip the eastern sections of these areas, the agency warned.
Storm surges, it added, are possible over the coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.
Rosita will leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday if it continues moving west southwest at 15 kph, PAGASA earlier said.
However, the typhoon's outer bands may drench large parts of the country until All Saints' Day, Nov. 1, as millions of Filipino Catholics troop to cemeteries to honor their dead, the agency said.
Northern Luzon in September bore the brunt of typhoon Ompong's onslaught, which swamped farmlands and unleashed landslides that killed at least 75 people.
Rosita has forced the cancellation of Monday's classes in several northern areas.
As Yutu, Rosita struck US islands in the Pacific last week, causing blackouts and massive infrastructure damage.
Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for the latest weather updates.