Tuguegarao: Leon, internationally known as Kong-Rey, has escalated into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour, the weather bureau reported Tuesday. The typhoon was positioned 555 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, prompting warnings for the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, gale-force winds are expected in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2, including Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the eastern part of mainland Cagayan, specifically in Gattaran, Baggao, Lal-Lo, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, and Pe. The northeastern portion of Isabela, covering Divilacan, Palanan, and Maconacon, has also been placed under Signal No. 2.
The rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, the northern part of Quezon including Polillo Islands,
Camarines Norte, the eastern part of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, the eastern part of Albay, and the northeastern part of Sorsogon remain under TCWS No. 1.
Leon is expected to bring gusty winds to Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, the Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Camiguin, raising concerns over potential damage.
PAGASA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, has issued warnings of a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surges within the next 48 hours over the low-lying coastal areas of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. A gale warning is in effect over Northern Luzon’s seaboard and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, making sea travel risky for all types of vessels.
The weather bureau has indicated that Leon will be nearest to Batanes by Thursday, and a landfall scenario in Batanes has not been ruled out. PAGASA also predicts that Leon might reach the super typhoon category, achieving its peak inten
sity as it approaches Batanes closely.