'Leon' makes landfall over southeastern Taiwan; affects N. Luzon

MANILA – Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey) has made landfall over southeastern Taiwan but continues to affect Northern Luzon, the weather bureau said Thursday afternoon.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) 5 p.m. bulletin, Leon was located 320 km. north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or in the vicinity of Chiayi County, Taiwan as of 4 p.m.

The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

Gale-force winds will prevail across the northern portion of Itbayat in Batanes, where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is hoisted.

TCWS No. 1 is still hoisted over the rest of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, and Santa Ana), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Burgos, Dumalneg, Adams, and Pagudpud). Strong winds will prevail in these areas.

The typhoon will continue to bring strong to gale-force winds in most of the Cordillera region, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Northern Samar, and most of Western Visayas.

"There is still a moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights of 2 to 3 meters above normal tide levels over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, although the risk is expected to continuously decrease as Leon moves further away," the weather bureau said.

Gale warning is hoisted over the seaboard of Northern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said it expects the cyclone to further weaken and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Thursday night or early Friday. (PNA)