Typhoon Marce maintains strength, nears Babuyan Islands

Typhoon Marce maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gustiness of up to 170 kph, and was last seen 335 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The typhoon is now moving westward at a slower pace.

Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 include the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Signal No. 1 has been raised over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and northern Aurora.

Cagayan is expected to experience heavy to intense rains on Wednesday, November 6, with moderate to heavy rains in Batanes, Isabela, and Aurora.

PAGASA forecasts Marce to continue intensifying and potentially reach its peak intensity on Wednesday, possibly with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall or pass close to the Babuyan Islands or northern mainland Cagayan from Thursday afternoon to Friday early morning.

Marce is anticipated to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening.

Flooding and landslides are likely in susceptible areas.