‘Kiko’ maintains strength; 5 provinces under signal no. 1

Moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds are expected within 300 km diameter of the TD. Residents in northern Luzon are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides. (Photo: Dost_pagasa/Facebook)

MANILA— Tropical depression (TD) “Kiko” has maintained its strength, with a maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 65 kph, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday morning.

“Kiko” was last eyed at 345 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, heading west northwest at 15 kph. PAGASA said “Kiko” might exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday evening.

Moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds are expected within 300 km diameter of the TD. Residents in northern Luzon are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is also risky over the eastern seaboard of northern and central Luzon, acccording to PAGASA.

Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 was raised over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands.

Meanwhile, the trough of the TD will cause moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Abra and Kalinga; and light to moderate rains with thunderstorms over Metro Manila, rest of Luzon and western Visayas.

The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers, PAGASA said.