With sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour and destructive gusts reaching 215 km/h, Typhoon Inday — carrying the international name Bavi — is bearing down on the northern tip of the Philippines, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise wind signals across several Luzon provinces even as the storm showed a slight easing in intensity.
PAGASA's early-morning bulletin released at 5:00 AM on Thursday, July 9, 2026, placed the typhoon's center at 925 kilometers east of Northern Luzon as of 4:00 AM that same day. The storm was moving west-northwestward at a forward speed of 20 km/h, with a central pressure reading of 940 hPa — reflecting a still well-organized and compact system, the weather bureau noted.
Wind Signals Hoisted Across Luzon Provinces
In response to Inday's approach, PAGASA placed a number of provinces under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1. The affected areas include Batanes, Cagayan — along with the Babuyan Islands — Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, and Ilocos Norte. Portions of Quirino, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, and Catanduanes were also placed under the same signal level, the weather bureau announced.
According to PAGASA, Signal No. 1 areas can expect strong winds of between 39 and 61 km/h within a 36-hour window, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property. The agency further stated that Signal No. 2 is the highest wind signal it anticipates being raised as Typhoon Inday traverses the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Typhoon Expected to Pass Closest to Northern Luzon This Weekend
PAGASA's forecast track has Inday moving northwestward while staying over the Philippine Sea rather than making a direct landfall on the main Philippine landmass. The typhoon is expected to pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between the evening of Friday, July 10, and the morning of Saturday, July 11, the weather bureau said.
After reaching its nearest point to Philippine territory, Inday is projected to curve toward the southern Japanese island chain before potentially making landfall on or passing near the northern coastline of Taiwan. PAGASA said the storm is forecast to exit PAR on July 11, with landfall over the eastern coast of mainland China expected by Sunday, July 12.
Despite the gradual weakening trend, PAGASA confirmed that Inday will maintain typhoon-strength winds for the entire duration of its presence within Philippine territory.
Southwest Monsoon Intensified by Inday's Outer Circulation
Beyond the areas directly in the typhoon's path, PAGASA warned that Inday's outer circulation will significantly enhance the southwest monsoon across much of the archipelago. The strengthened monsoon is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over a large portion of the country from Thursday through Saturday, July 11.
The weather bureau cautioned that heavy rainfall and powerful winds may be experienced even in areas lying well outside Inday's forecast track. PAGASA urged residents as well as local disaster risk reduction and management offices nationwide to take all necessary precautionary measures in anticipation of worsening weather conditions.
Gale Warning Issued; Deadly Seas Forecast Near Batanes
PAGASA also issued a Gale Warning applicable to the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. The most extreme sea conditions are forecast off the Batanes coastline, where wave heights may climb to as high as 6.0 meters — conditions the weather agency described as extremely hazardous for all vessel types.
The weather bureau issued a firm advisory to all mariners, particularly those aboard small watercraft, to remain docked or to seek shelter in safe harbor without delay. PAGASA stressed that sea travel in any of the Gale Warning zones poses a serious and significant risk for the duration of the warning period.
Storm Weakened Slightly But Remains in Severe Typhoon Category
While Typhoon Inday has undergone a marginal reduction in intensity from earlier readings, PAGASA said the system continues to qualify as a severe typhoon. The combination of 175 km/h maximum sustained winds and 215 km/h peak gusts ensures the storm retains significant destructive potential along and near its track.
The 940 hPa central pressure reading, according to PAGASA's bulletin, is indicative of a compact and well-structured storm that remains capable of generating destructive wind fields and dangerous storm surge conditions in proximity to its path. The weather bureau said weakening will be gradual and will not strip the typhoon of its classification before it departs Philippine territory.
By the Numbers
- 175 km/h — Maximum sustained winds of Typhoon Inday as of 4:00 AM, July 9, 2026
- 215 km/h — Peak wind gusts within the typhoon system
- 940 hPa — Central pressure of Typhoon Inday at time of bulletin
- 925 km — Distance of Inday's center east of Northern Luzon as of 4:00 AM
- 20 km/h — Forward speed of the typhoon moving west-northwestward
- 39–61 km/h — Wind speed range expected in Signal No. 1 areas within 36 hours
- 6.0 meters — Forecast maximum wave height along Batanes seaboards
- July 11 — Projected exit date from the Philippine Area of Responsibility
- July 12 — Expected landfall over eastern mainland China
Why This Matters
Typhoon Inday represents the most consequential weather event to affect the Philippines in this period, with wind signals already active across multiple Luzon provinces and a Gale Warning covering the seaboards of both Luzon and Visayas. Even provinces and maritime zones well outside the typhoon's direct track face elevated risk due to the intensified southwest monsoon, extending the storm's hazardous reach across much of the country. PAGASA's explicit warnings to mariners and disaster response offices underscore the broad scope of preparedness required as Inday remains at full typhoon strength throughout its passage within Philippine territory.
Source: Originally reported by PAGASA bulletin and breakingnewsnegor.com