Tropical Cyclone Inday, which was previously classified as a super typhoon, has weakened into a typhoon but continues to bring rain and strong winds across large parts of the country on Thursday, July 9, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 a.m. weather advisory, PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said Inday was estimated at 925 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

The cyclone is moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 215 km/h.

Despite its weakening, Loreto emphasized that Inday remains a powerful tropical cyclone due to its wide circulation.

"Kahit humina po ito ay malakas pa rin po ito na bagyo. At kung mapapansin po natin marami pa rin yung naaapektuhang wind fields at mga rain bands nitong bagyong Inday dahil nga malawak ang sakop ng bagyo," Loreto said.

PAGASA has maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 12 areas in Northern Luzon, including:

• Batanes
• Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands)
• Isabela
• Northeastern portion of Quirino
• Apayao
• Northern portion of Abra
• Kalinga
• Eastern portion of Mountain Province
• Eastern portion of Ifugao
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern portion of Aurora
• Northern and central portions of Catanduanes

The weather bureau also warned of heavy rainfall associated with Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat).

Eastern Visayas and the rest of the Bicol Region are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, a Gale Warning remains in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, as well as the eastern seaboard of the Visayas, posing risks to sea travel and small vessels.

Track and intensity outlook

Inday is expected to continue moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea and may pass closest to Extreme Northern Luzon between Friday evening, July 10, and Saturday morning, July 11.

The typhoon is forecast to head toward the southern islands of Japan and may either make landfall or pass close to the northern coast of Taiwan before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday. It is then expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of mainland China by Sunday, July 12.

"Inday is forecast to gradually weaken but will remain as a typhoon until it exits the PAR. It will then weaken into a severe tropical storm after moving further inland over mainland China. As Inday moves over the sea east of Taiwan, a faster weakening trend is not ruled out due to increasingly unfavorable environment," the state bureau said.