'Katring' leaves RP today

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon “Katring” is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday Katring (international name Chaba) increased its speed from 11 kilometers per hour last Tuesday and was moving at 13 kph.

Pagasa weather forecaster Jori Loiz said if it maintains its speed, it would be out of the country today.

As of yesterday, Loiz said the weather disturbance was moving northward, but because there is a high-pressure area, it might shift to the northeast and head for Japan.

At 5 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Katring was at 580 kilometers east-northeast of Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Pagasa said Luzon and Visayas would have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Mindanao would be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, the weather bureau said.

Moderate to strong winds from the north to northeast would prevail over Luzon, while coastal waters would be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds from the north to the northwest will prevail over the Visayas.

The rest of the country would have slight to moderate seas, Pagasa said.