MANILA – Typhoon Inday continued to weaken Friday as it moved northwestward over the Philippine Sea toward the waters east of Taiwan, although it remained a threat to Northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Typhoon Inday was estimated at 570 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 a.m.

The typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph), gusts of up to 170 kph, and was moving northwestward at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains in effect over Batanes, the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, including Santa Ana. Areas under Signal No. 2 may experience gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph within 24 hours, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 remains hoisted over the rest of the Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Abra, the eastern portion of Mountain Province, and the eastern portion of Ifugao. These areas may experience strong winds of 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours, with minimal to minor impacts.

PAGASA advised the public to refer to its Weather Advisory No. 16 for the heavy rainfall outlook associated with Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

The weather bureau also warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon and the typhoon’s circulation would bring strong to gale-force wind gusts over most parts of the country today and Saturday, and over most of Luzon, most of the Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and Davao Oriental on Sunday.

A gale warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

PAGASA said very rough seas, with waves reaching up to seven meters, are expected along the northern and eastern seaboards of Batanes, while waves of up to six meters are forecast over the seaboards of the Babuyan Islands, the northeastern coast of mainland Cagayan, and the remaining coastal waters of Batanes.

Sea conditions ranging from rough to very rough are also expected in several coastal areas of Northern Luzon, parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The weather bureau advised all mariners to remain in port or seek safe harbor in areas under very rough sea conditions, while operators of small vessels were urged not to venture out into rough seas.

PAGASA said Typhoon Inday is expected to continue moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea and may pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday night and Saturday morning.

The typhoon is forecast to move toward the southern islands of Japan and may make landfall or pass close to the northern coast of Taiwan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon. It is then expected to make landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China by Saturday evening or early Sunday, where it is forecast to weaken into a severe tropical storm after moving farther inland.

PAGASA reminded the public and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to continue taking precautionary measures, especially in areas highly susceptible to flooding, rain-induced landslides, strong winds, and coastal hazards, and to follow evacuation and other directives issued by local authorities.