PAGASA warns of life-threatening conditions as Typhoon Marce hits northern Cagayan

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a warning of life-threatening conditions over northern Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte as Typhoon Marce moves west-northwestward. PAGASA stated that the typhoon was last seen over Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gustiness up to 240 kph.

The advisory emphasized potentially life-threatening conditions due to typhoon-force winds, storm surge inundation, and torrential rainfall in the Babuyan Islands and northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao. Signal No. 4 is hoisted over these areas with expected wind speeds from 118 kph up to 184 kph.

PAGASA also issued a storm surge bulletin warning of high risk within the next 48 hours for specific regions in Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and parts of Ilocos Sur and La Union with varying levels of storm surges. Residents are advised to stay away from coastal areas.

Typhoon Marce made landfall along the coast of northwestern mainland Cagayan on Thursday night bringing severe conditions. PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility of Marce developing into a super typhoon but predicts it will remain a typhoon and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon or evening.