Manila: Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi) has maintained its strength as it approaches the Sakishima Islands in southern Japan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau reported Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of 3 a.m., Inday was positioned 500 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. The typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center with gustiness reaching up to 170 kph, and is moving northwestward at a speed of 20 kph. It is forecasted to exit the PAR by Saturday morning, traverse the East China Sea, and potentially make landfall on the eastern coast of mainland China.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stated that Tropical Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect over the northern part of Batanes. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is still hoisted over the rest of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, including areas such as Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, and others.

Stormy weather conditions are expected to prevail over Batanes, while Cagayan will likely experience rains and gusty winds due to the presence of Inday. Additionally, the southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat,' will bring occasional rains to regions including Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and several others.

Furthermore, the rest of the Cordillera region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Isabela are expected to have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms as a result of Inday. Similarly, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Region, Soccsksargen, and other parts of Luzon and Visayas will experience similar weather conditions due to the habagat.

The habagat is also forecasted to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms across the rest of Mindanao. The entire archipelago will experience moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas.