Tropical Depression Kiyapo speeds up as it heads for extreme Northern Luzon

KIYAPO. Satellite image of Tropical Depression Kiyapo as of July 23, 2026, 4 pm. PAGASA PAGASA emphasizes that Tropical Depression Kiyapo may trigger floods and landslides, as moderate to intense rain will be hitting Northern Luzon. The southwest monsoon is also affecting various parts of the country. MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Kiyapo accelerated on Thursday, July 23, as it continued heading for extreme Northern Luzon, where it could make landfall on Friday, July 24. In a briefing at around 5 pm on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kiyapo was already 640 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, as of 4 pm. The tropical depression is moving northwest at a relatively fast 30 kilometers per hour (km/h). It maintained its strength, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. Kiyapo is still expected to pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan on Friday morning or afternoon, then pass very close to or make landfall in Cagayan’s Babuyan Islands in the afternoon or evening. PAGASA added that Kiyapo may strengthen into a tropical storm on Friday, and subsequently into a severe tropical storm on Saturday, July 25. The weather bureau emphasized that Kiyapo may trigger floods and landslides, as moderate to intense rain from the tropical cyclone will be hitting Northern Luzon in the next 48 hours. Likely to be most affected are the following provinces: Thursday afternoon, July 23, to Friday afternoon, July 24 Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Isabela, Batanes, Abra, Ilocos Sur Friday afternoon, July 24, to Saturday afternoon, July 25 Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Abra, Ilocos Sur Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Benguet, La Union At least a dozen provinces on the western side of the country are also dealing with significant rainfall from the southwest monsoon or habagat. Floods and landslides are possible, too. Thursday afternoon, July 23, to Friday afternoon, July 24 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Friday afternoon, July 24, to Saturday afternoon, July 25 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental Saturday afternoon, July 25, to Sunday afternoon, July 26 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Occidental Mindoro Meanwhile, as of 5 pm on Thursday, the following areas are under Signal No. 1 due to the expected strong winds from Kiyapo: Batanes Cagayan including Babuyan Islands Isabela Apayao Abra Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur northern part of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan) northern part of Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Ambaguio, Villaverde, Quezon, Solano) northern part of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun, Aglipay) northern part of Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun, Kibungan) The highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Kiyapo could be Signal No. 2, but PAGASA is not ruling out Signal No. 3 if Kiyapo becomes a severe tropical storm while crossing the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area. PAGASA added that the southwest monsoon and the periphery or outer bands of the tropical cyclone will bring strong to gale-force gusts to these areas: Thursday, July 23 most of Mindanao, Siquijor, Bohol, Southern Leyte Friday, July 24 most of the country Saturday, July 25 most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands As Kiyapo is moving faster and relatively nearer to extreme Northern Luzon, sea conditions are also worsening, particularly in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the tip of mainland Cagayan. Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels) Seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands; northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan – waves up to 4.5 meters high Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea) Eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental; northern seaboards of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan – waves up to 3 meters high Up to moderate to rough seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible) Seaboard of Sultan Kudarat; northeastern seaboard of Isabela; western seaboard of Sarangani; remaining seaboard of mainland Cagayan – waves up to 2.5 meters high Seaboards of Cagayancillo Islands, Surigao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Maguindanao del Norte; eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; southern seaboards of Antique and Iloilo; western seaboard of Negros Occidental; remaining seaboards of Isabela, Davao Oriental, and Sarangani – waves up to 2 meters high Kiyapo is the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the fourth for July alone. It is seen to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading