Signal No. 5 up in Babuyan Islands as Goring intensifies into super typhoon anew

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — Signal No. 5, the highest wind signal, was hoisted over the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands as Goring (international name: Saola) intensified again into a super typhoon, the state weather bureau said late Tuesday evening.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "violent, life-threatening conditions from typhoon-force winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signals No. 4 and 5 are hoisted, resulting in significant to extreme impacts."

Signal No. 4 is up over the southern portion of Batanes, and northwestern and southeastern portions of Babuyan Islands, while Signal No. 3 is raised over the rest of Batanes, rest of Babuyan Island, and extreme northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Areas under Signal No. 2 are: northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, northern portion of Ilocos Norte, northern portion of Apayao.

The northern and eastern portions of Isabela, and the rest of Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Apayao, northern portion of Abra, and northern portion of Kalinga are also placed under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said southwest monsoon enhanced by the super typhoon will bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the Visayas over the next three days.

"Goring will bring typhoon-force conditions over most of Batanes and Babuyan Islands between tonight and tomorrow afternoon," the weather bureau said. "The super typhoon will be passing through the region at or near its peak intensity."

It is expected to pass very close or make landfall in the Babuyan Islands on Tuesday night or Wednesday early morning.

Goring was last seen over the coastal waters of Calayan, Babuyan Islands moving northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

PAGASA said it may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

The bureau earlier forecast severe tropical storm Haikui to enter the PAR on Wednesday morning. It will be known locally as "Hanna."

READ: Potential typhoon may enter PAR this week

According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Goring has affected 19,370 families or more than 63,000 individuals.

Contrary to the latest NDRRMC report of zero casualties and injured persons, the Cagayan disaster response office logged two injured persons in the towns of Piat and Baggao.

The NDRRMC has also reported no agriculture damage. However, infrastructure damage left by Goring has climbed to ₱41,175,000.