Manila: Parts of Northern Luzon are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Salome maintained its strength, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday. The cyclone packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

According to Philippines News Agency, strong winds will prevail in areas under Signal No. 1: Batanes, the western portion of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island and Dalupiri Island), and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Pagudpud, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Laoag City). Heavy rains will be experienced across Batanes.

Salome was last tracked 215 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving west-southwest at 10 kph. A gale warning is still in effect over the seaboard of extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, Salome is still forecast to pass close or make landfall over Batanes on Wednesday night or Thursday. PAGASA also forecast Salome to remain as a tropical depression and weaken into a remnant low on Friday.