Rains due to 'Marce' will continue

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Marce” (international codename Sinlaku) will continue this weekend to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing light to moderate rains over the western section of Luzon, including Metro Manila, the weather bureau said yesterday.

But the country, including western Luzon, can expect better weather compared to the past two days, said Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Cruz said based on the latest forecast, Marce is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility today and move towards Taiwan.

As of 4:45 p.m. yesterday, the Batanes group of islands remained under storm signal No. 1.

Cruz said at 4 p.m. yesterday, Marce maintained its strength as it moved toward the northern tip of Taiwan.

It was last spotted at 380 kilometers north-northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Marce was forecast to move northwest at seven kph and is predicted to be at 460 kms north-northeast of Basco this afternoon and at 590 kms north of Basco or 100 kms north of Taipei tomorrow afternoon. – Helen Flores