Inday Weakens Into Typhoon; Gov’t On Alert

Inday weakened into a typhoon as of 2 a.m. today, July 9, with its center at 925 kilometers east of northern Luzon as of 4 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was packing a maximum sustained winds of 175 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

Inday entered the Philippine area of responsibility at 3 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, as a super typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over some areas in Luzon: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, the northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela), Apayao, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lagayan, Danglas, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Daguioman, Dolores, La Paz), Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista), Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), and the northern and central portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, Baras, San Miguel).

A gale warning is also in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

“It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone,” PAGASA said.

Inday is forecast to move northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea and may pass closest to extreme northern Luzon between tomorrow evening, July 10, and Saturday morning, July 11. Afterwards, Inday will move toward the southern islands of Japan and may make landfall or pass close over the northern coast of Taiwan. It will then exit the PAR by Saturday and make landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China by Sunday, July 12, PAGASA reported.

“Inday is forecast to gradually weaken but will remain as a typhoon until it exits the PAR. It will then weaken into a severe tropical storm after moving further inland over mainland China. As Inday moves over the sea east of Taiwan, a faster weakening trend is not ruled out due to increasingly unfavorable environment,” PAGASA said.

On Wednesday, Inday (international name Bavi) maintained its strength while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.

Angat Dam will benefit from the enhanced southwest monsoon and Inday, as forecasters predict a one-meter increase in its water level.

But PAGASA hydrometeorology division chief Socrates Paat said it is not enough to sustain losses incurred for daily operations.

Angat Dam reached a record-low water level on Wednesday since 2010, at 157.07 meters.

People are urged to conserve water.

Government on alert

President Marcos has called on the public to monitor updates on Inday.

The Department of Health has declared a code white alert to ensure rapid response to affected communities.

Essential health emergency commodities have been prepared in priority regions.

The Philippine National Police will provide support for pre-disaster preparations, evacuation efforts, traffic management and other public safety operations.

Metro Manila will be placed tomorrow under blue alert status, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Metro Manila Council president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said he is deferring the decision to suspend classes to local government units.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepared P52 million in stockpile and standby funds, equivalent to 73,440 family food packs and 5,427 non-food items.

Around 4.7 million food packs have been prepared nationwide.

Disaster response personnel in the Cordillera Administrative Region are on standby for possible deployment after a blue alert status has been raised.

Airports are preparing for the potential impact of strong winds and heavy rainfall, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.

As of Wednesday noon, at least 31 sea trips, mostly in Calabarzon, were canceled, the Philippine Ports Authority said.

Classes suspended

Classes across Negros Oriental and some areas in Negros Occidental are suspended today.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria has urged residents to remain vigilant.

Classes in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan are also suspended today.

Three SM City malls in Marilao, Pulilan and Baliwag City are offering temporary shelters. – With Josiah Antonio Alexis Romero, Artemio Dumalo, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos, Andrew Ronquillo, EJ Macababbad, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Gilbert Bayoran