More areas in Luzon, Visayas under Signal No. 1

MANILA, Philippines — More areas in Luzon and Visayas were under Signal No. 1 as Severe Tropical Storm Leon further intensified.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm signal was raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod, Mankayan, Buguias and Kabayan), Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta and Real), Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga and Saglay), Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo and Manito), and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon and Gubat).

In Visayas, the same storm signal was up over the eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas and Mondragon) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Oras and San Policarpo).

Moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), Leon was estimated some 725 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela while packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.

Expected to rapidly intensify throughout its passage over the Philippine Sea, Leon may reach typhoon category within 24 hours, Pagasa said.

It added that Leon may reach super typhoon category as it approaches Batanes, where it may make landfall.