Kiyapo Maintains Strength; Parts of Cordillera Under Signal No. 1

Excerpt:Tropical Depression Kiyapo maintained its strength early Thursday, July 23, 2026, while moving toward the Luzon Strait. Several Cordillera provinces are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. Baguio City and Benguet are not currently under a wind signal, but residents should remain alert for rain and stronger winds associated with the Southwest Monsoon and the cyclone’s outer circulation.

Tropical Depression Kiyapo maintained its strength while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Central Luzon, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 2 issued by PAGASA at 5:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

As of 4:00 AM, the center of Kiyapo was estimated at 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

The tropical depression had maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour, and a central pressure of 1,002 hectopascals.

Kiyapo was moving west northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour. Strong winds associated with the cyclone extended as far as 400 kilometers from its center.

Kiyapo at a Glance

InformationDetails
Location as of 4:00 AM950 km east of Central Luzon
Coordinates15.5°N, 130.5°E
Maximum sustained winds45 km/h
GustinessUp to 55 km/h
MovementWest northwestward at 20 km/h
Central pressure1,002 hPa
Extent of strong windsUp to 400 km from the center
Next PAGASA bulletin11:00 AM, July 23, 2026

What This Means for Baguio City and Benguet

As of the 5:00 AM bulletin, Baguio City and Benguet are not included among the areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

However, this does not mean that Baguio City will remain unaffected by the weather system.

PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon and the outer circulation of Kiyapo may bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of the country on Friday, July 24. Winds may be stronger in exposed upland and mountainous locations.

Because Baguio City is located in a mountainous area, residents should remain cautious of sudden stronger winds, especially along ridges, open roads, construction sites, and locations with trees, billboards, temporary structures, or unsecured roofing materials.

Rainfall associated with Kiyapo and the Southwest Monsoon may also affect areas away from the cyclone’s projected track.

PAGASA referred the public to Weather Advisory No. 8 for the specific heavy rainfall outlook. The tropical cyclone bulletin itself did not provide exact rainfall amounts for Baguio City or Benguet.

Residents should continue monitoring rainfall advisories and warnings issued by PAGASA’s regional weather office.

Parts of the Cordillera Under Signal No. 1

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over the following areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region:

  • Apayao
  • Abra
  • Kalinga
  • Eastern and central portions of Mountain Province
  • Eastern and central portions of Ifugao

Mountain Province Areas Under Signal No. 1

The following municipalities are included:

  • Paracelis
  • Natonin
  • Barlig
  • Sadanga
  • Bontoc
  • Besao
  • Sagada

Ifugao Areas Under Signal No. 1

The following municipalities are included:

  • Mayoyao
  • Aguinaldo
  • Alfonso Lista
  • Banaue
  • Hingyon
  • Lagawe

Signal No. 1 means winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour may be experienced within approximately 36 hours.

PAGASA said these winds may pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property. Local winds may still become stronger in exposed coastal, elevated, and mountainous areas.

Other Areas Under Signal No. 1

Aside from parts of the Cordillera, Signal No. 1 is also in effect over:

  • Batanes
  • Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands
  • Isabela
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Northern portion of Ilocos Sur
  • Northern portion of Aurora

In Ilocos Sur, the signal covers Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, and San Vicente.

In Aurora, the signal covers Dilasag and Casiguran.

Strong Winds May Affect More Areas

PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon and Kiyapo’s outer circulation will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following 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 the Visayas
  • Zamboanga Peninsula
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Camiguin
  • Dinagat Islands
  • Davao Oriental

Strong winds may be enhanced in coastal and upland areas that are exposed to the prevailing wind direction. Areas protected by mountains, buildings, or other terrain may experience weaker winds.

Signal No. 2 Remains Possible

PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 may be the highest wind signal raised during Kiyapo’s passage.

However, Signal No. 3 is not completely ruled out if Kiyapo develops into a severe tropical storm while crossing or passing near Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

Residents in Northern Luzon should therefore continue monitoring succeeding bulletins because wind signals may be raised, expanded, or upgraded as the cyclone approaches.

Forecast Track of Kiyapo

Kiyapo is expected to continue moving west northwestward toward the Luzon Strait until Saturday, July 25.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, the center of the cyclone may pass very close to the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between the morning and afternoon of Friday, July 24.

It may then pass very close to or make landfall in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands between Friday afternoon and evening.

Kiyapo is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Saturday morning and noon.

PAGASA emphasized that the cyclone’s track may still shift within the forecast confidence cone.

Heavy rain and severe winds may also occur outside the projected landfall area and outside the cyclone’s forecast path.

Kiyapo May Intensify Further

Kiyapo is forecast to gradually strengthen while moving over the Philippine Sea.

It may become a tropical storm on Friday, July 24, before continuing to intensify while crossing or passing near Extreme Northern Luzon.

The cyclone may become a severe tropical storm after passing the Babuyan Islands.

A weakening trend is expected if Kiyapo makes landfall over southern mainland China and moves farther inland.

Coastal Water Conditions

PAGASA said a Gale Warning may be issued on Thursday or early Friday over the seaboards of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Rough seas of up to three meters are expected along the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental.

Small fishing boats, motorbancas, and other small vessels are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially when operated by inexperienced mariners or when vessels are not properly equipped.

Moderate to rough seas are also expected over the following areas:

  • Eastern seaboard of Surigao del Sur, with waves up to 2.5 meters
  • Eastern seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands
  • Western seaboards of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani
  • Seaboards of Davao Occidental

Waves in these areas may reach up to two meters.

Operators of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels should take precautionary measures and avoid sailing whenever possible.

Other coastal waters are forecast to have wave heights below two meters.

Public Safety Reminders

Residents are advised to:

  • Monitor official PAGASA bulletins and local rainfall advisories.
  • Secure roofing materials, outdoor furniture, signs, and other loose objects.
  • Avoid parking or staying near old trees, unstable slopes, retaining walls, and temporary structures.
  • Watch for signs of landslides, including cracks in the ground, leaning trees, unusual sounds, and sudden changes in water flow.
  • Avoid flooded roads and waterways.
  • Prepare flashlights, medicines, drinking water, charged mobile phones, and emergency supplies.
  • Follow evacuation and safety instructions issued by local government and disaster risk reduction offices.

People living in areas classified as highly or very highly susceptible to flooding or landslides should be ready to evacuate when instructed by authorities.

The next Tropical Cyclone Bulletin for Kiyapo will be issued by PAGASA at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Source: DOST-PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 2 for Tropical Depression Kiyapo, issued at 5:00 AM on July 23, 2026.

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