Low chance of ‘Hagibis’ entering PAR, but trough affecting eastern part of PH – Pagasa

TYPHOON “Hagibis,” described as a powerful storm by international weather agencies, has shown lower chances of entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the state-run weather bureau said on Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) last spotted Hagibis at 1,845 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 200 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 245.

Weather specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz said Hagibis was on the upper limit of the typhoon category and was expected to be strong and destructive.

Dela Cruz said Hagibis was moving northward towards the direction of Japan. Its trough, however, would be affecting the eastern part of the country and was expected to bring light to moderate rains over the Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas, CARAGA, and Davao region.

Gale warning was also raised over the northern part of Northern and the eastern part of Central Luzon. Small fishing vessels are prohibited to venture out into the seaboards of Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Islands, the northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Polilio Islands, Camarines Provinces and Catanduanes.