Five areas in Northern Luzon extending until the northeastern part of Catanduanes were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1 as Super Typhoon Champi, which was given local name ''Rosal'', entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday morning.

In a press conference, Nathaniel Servando, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa) administrator said ''Rosal'' entered PAR around 10:40 am.

The areas placed under signal number one are Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Camiguin Is., Didicas Is.), the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca), the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Ilagan City), and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto).

"We advise our people in the affected areas especially in Batanes to be observant and make necessary preparations as Super Typhoon Rosal brings danger," said Servando.

As of 5pm, Rosal was last spotted at 1,270 km east of Central Luzon while moving west northwest at the speed of 25 kph with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

According to the state weather bureau, 'Rosal' "will generally move west northwestward until tomorrow (October 21) before moving generally northwestward until Friday (October 23) morning."

"On Friday afternoon, 'Rosal' will begin to turn north northwestward to northward until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or Saturday (24 October) early morning," it stated.

"Rosal is forecast to maintain its strength as a super typhoon and further intensification remains possible while it moves over the Philippine Sea," it added.

The super typhoon is expected to "weaken into a typhoon on Thursday and may further weaken into a severe tropical storm on Saturday evening or Sunday (25 October) morning while outside PAR due to unfavorable environment." Robina Asido/PHS