Signal No. 3 up as Kiyapo now a severe tropical storm

Three islands in the Babuyan group are placed under Signal No. 3 at 8 pm on Friday, July 24, due to Severe Tropical Storm Kiyapo (Noul)

MANILA, Philippines – Kiyapo (Noul) strengthened from a tropical storm into a severe tropical storm on Friday, July 24, prompting the raising of Signal No. 3 for some islands in the Babuyan group early evening.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a bulletin issued at 8 pm on Friday that Kiyapo now has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour from the previous 85 km/h. Its gustiness is now up to 130 km/h from 115 km/h.

As of 7 pm, the severe tropical storm was still over the coastal waters of Calayan Island, which belongs to the Babuyan group and is part of the municipality of Calayan in Cagayan province.

It is moving west northwest at a slightly slower 25 km/h from 30 km/h. Generally, however, it has been relatively fast in its passage through extreme Northern Luzon.

Earlier at 2:10 pm, Kiyapo made landfall as a tropical storm in Camiguin Island — also belonging to the Babuyan group.

It is projected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, July 25.

Here are the areas where tropical cyclone wind signals are in effect as of 8 pm on Friday:

Signal No. 3

Storm-force winds (89 to 117 km/h), moderate to significant threat to life and property

western part of Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island, Dalupiri Island, Fuga Island) Signal No. 2

Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property

Batanes rest of Babuyan Islands northern part of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Buguey, Allacapan, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Lasam) northern part of Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan, Pudtol, Flora) northern part of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams, Bangui, Burgos, Vintar) Signal No. 1

Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property

rest of mainland Cagayan Isabela Quirino Nueva Vizcaya rest of Apayao Abra Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao Benguet rest of Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union northern and central parts of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

The southwest monsoon and Kiyapo’s periphery or outer bands are also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

most of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Cebu, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Davao Oriental

Sunday, July 26

Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Quezon, Mimaropa

PAGASA had said in its separate rainfall advisory at 5 pm on Friday that Kiyapo will continue to dump moderate to intense rain in Northern Luzon within 24 hours.

Friday afternoon, July 24, to Saturday afternoon, July 25

Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union

The southwest monsoon or habagat is also affecting Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, causing scattered rain and thunderstorms in many areas. The most affected provinces are:

Friday afternoon, July 24, to Saturday afternoon, July 25

Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental

Saturday afternoon, July 25, to Sunday afternoon, July 26

Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro

In addition, PAGASA maintained warnings for seaboards with moderate to very rough conditions.

Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels)

Seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands – waves up to 5.5 meters high Northern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte – waves up to 4.5 meters high

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

Remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte – waves up to 3.5 meters high Northeastern seaboard of Isabela; northern seaboard of Ilocos Sur – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate to rough seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

Seaboards of Zambales and Surigao del Sur; northern seaboard of Aurora; eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental; western seaboard of Pangasinan; remaining seaboard of Isabela – waves up to 2.5 meters high Seaboards of Cuyo Islands, Kalayaan Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, and Davao Occidental; northern. seaboards of La Union, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Catanduanes; eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; western seaboards of Bataan, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, mainland Palawan including Calamian Islands, and Negros Occidental; southern seaboards of Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Davao Oriental, and Sarangani; remaining seaboards of Ilocos Sur and Aurora – waves up to 2 meters high

Kiyapo is the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the fourth for July alone.

Once outside PAR, Kiyapo may undergo rapid intensification and strengthen into a typhoon ahead of its expected landfall in mainland China during the weekend. But as it crosses China, a weakening trend is likely to begin. – Rappler.com

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