Typhoon Marce continues to threaten northern Cagayan and the Babuyan Islands, bringing strong winds and heavy rains across Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday.
In its 5:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported Marce with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 190 kph. The typhoon was located at 200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
Typhoon-force winds are affecting areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4, including the northern mainland Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and northeastern Apayao.
TCWS No. 3 covers southern Batanes, the rest of Cagayan and Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and northern Abra, while TCWS No. 2 is in effect for parts of Isabela, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and surrounding areas. TCWS No. 1 affects the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Benguet, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales.
Strong to gale-force winds are also expected in Zambales, Bataan, and Polillo Islands due to the northeasterly wind flow and the typhoon’s periphery.
Intense rains are expected over Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, with heavy to intense rains in Batanes, Ilocos Sur, and Abra. Moderate to heavy rains will affect Kalinga, La Union, Isabela, and Mountain Province. Flooding and landslides are possible, particularly in high-risk areas.
PAGASA warns of life-threatening storm surges, with heights over 3 meters possible along coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.
Gale warnings are in effect over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and sea travel is risky for all vessels.
PAGASA forecasts the typhoon to make landfall over the Babuyan Islands or northern Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, or Apayao from Thursday afternoon to Friday.