Super Typhoon Champi, known locally in the Philippines as Rosal, has brought a warning escalation: the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over Batanes in its 11:00 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Wednesday, the Summit Express and Manila Bulletin reported. Signal No. 2 means gale-force winds of 62 to 88 km/h are expected within 24 hours, a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

In that bulletin PAGASA put the storm's centre about 845 km east of Northern Luzon, moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h and gusts up to 265 km/h. Signal No. 1 — strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h within 36 hours — remained in force over Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Apayao and the northeastern portion of Catanduanes. PAGASA said the highest signal that may still be raised during Rosal's passage is Signal No. 2 or No. 3.

The seas are the sharpest immediate danger. PAGASA warned of very rough seas with waves up to 8 metres off Batanes and the northern and eastern seaboards of Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, with a gale warning in effect for the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon — sea travel is risky for vessels of all types, and mariners were told to stay in port or seek shelter. Heavy rainfall of 50 to 100 mm was expected over Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan on Wednesday, rising to 100 to 200 mm over Batanes on Thursday, with flooding and landslides possible in saturated areas.

PAGASA still expects no direct landfall in the Philippines. The storm is forecast to pass closest to extreme Northern Luzon between Thursday and Friday afternoon, weaken into a typhoon by Thursday and into a severe tropical storm by Sunday, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday. Awaaz Punjab reported the storm's morning Signal No. 1 stage separately; this escalation to Signal No. 2, at peak strength, is the new development residents of Batanes and northern Luzon — and the Filipino diaspora families watching from abroad — need to plan around. Sources: PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 4, 5:00 a.m. Oct 21, 2026, via ReliefWeb; BusinessWorld on the 5 a.m. bulletin (Oct 21, 2026); Summit Express on the 11 a.m. bulletin raising Signal No. 2 over Batanes (Oct 21, 2026); ABS-CBN News and Manila Bulletin reports on the 11 a.m. Signal No. 2 raising (Oct 21, 2026).