“Leon” (international name Kong-Rey) has intensified into a typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph, the weather bureau said yesterday.

The typhoon was located 555 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Gale-force winds will prevail in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the northeastern portion of Isabela.

TCWS No. 1 is still hoisted over the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay, and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon.

“Leon” is forecast to bring gusty winds in Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, the Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Camiguin.

“There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

A gale warning is still hoisted over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said “Leon” will be closest to Batanes on Thursday, October 31. A landfall scenario on Batanes is not ruled out.

Pagasa also forecast “Leon” to reach the super typhoon category and reach its peak intensity during its close approach to Batanes. (PNA)