Super Typhoon "Leon" weakened to a typhoon category as it passes near the Orchid Islands in southern Taiwan, according to a report from PAGASA on Thursday.
In the state weather bureau's 11 AM bulletin, Leon was located 155 km north of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h and gusts reaching up to 215 km/h.
Furthermore, the typhoon is moving northwestward at a speed of 25 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted in Batanes, indicating potential impacts of winds that pose a moderate to significant threat to life and property.
TCWS No. 2 is raised for the Babuyan Islands, where residents are advised that the potential impacts of winds pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Moreover, TCWS No. 1 is raised in the following areas:
- mainland Cagayan
- Isabela
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- northern portion of Benguet
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
Areas under TCWS No. 1 may experience winds that pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property.
PAGASA reported that within the next 48 hours, there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters above normal tide levels in the low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.
