MANILA – Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) maintained its strength as it moved westward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon on Wednesday afternoon, with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remaining in effect over parts of Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Inday’s eye was estimated at 1,170 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

The super typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center, gusts of up to 240 kph, and is moving westward at 20 kph. Strong to typhoon-force winds extend up to 880 kilometers from its center.

TCWS No. 1 remains hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and portions of Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Aurora, and Catanduanes, where winds of 39 to 61 kph may pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Inday’s passage is Signal No. 2 or 3.

The weather bureau also warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and the typhoon’s outer circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, CALABARZON, most of MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, most of the Visayas, and most of Mindanao on Wednesday, with gusty conditions expected across most of the country on Thursday and Friday.

For coastal waters, a gale warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas.

Very rough seas of up to 5 meters are expected along the seaboards of Isabela and the eastern seaboards of Batanes and Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, making sea travel risky for all types of vessels. PAGASA advised all mariners to remain in port or seek safe harbor until sea conditions improve.

The agency said Inday is forecast to move west northwestward over the next 12 hours before turning northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea. It may pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon by Friday evening or Saturday morning before heading toward the southern islands of Japan and the waters north of Taiwan.

PAGASA expects the cyclone to remain a super typhoon until Thursday before gradually weakening into a typhoon by Thursday evening or early Friday. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday and make landfall over eastern mainland China on Sunday.

The weather bureau reminded the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue monitoring official advisories and take necessary precautions against heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions.