8 dead, 63 missing as 'Butchoy' approaches Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Eight people have been confirmed killed and 63 more are missing as Tropical Storm Guchol moved nearer to the Philippines on Thursday.

As of 5 a.m., "Guchol" was estimated 1,110 kilometers east of Northern Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 100 kph.

The storm was moving west northwest at 20 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

It will be named "Butchoy" once it enters the PAR. The weather bureau said that the storm may pass through Visayas and and go up to Luzon.

Coupled with the southwest monsoon, the weather system will bring rains over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA has advised disaster response units around the country of possible landslides and flashfloods.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Thursday morning that a total of eight people have been confirmed killed in flashfloods and a sea mishap in El Nido, Palawan; Marilog, Davao City; Sarangani and General Santos City.

Flashfloods hit at least five provinces in Mindanao due to non-stop rains since over the weekend. Three people were confirmed killed and a total of 58 people remain missing in Sarangani Province.

On Wednesday, five people were recovered dead after a passenger vessel with 61 people on board sank in waters off El Nido town. Five more people have yet to be located.