'Butchoy' grows stronger, near typhoon level

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm "Butchoy" grew stronger on Friday, but the government's weather bureau said it may still not make landfall until it exits the Philippines by next week.

As of 4 a.m. Friday, the eye of ther storm was estimated at 620 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 130 kph. It was moving 15 kph at a west northwestward direction.

The storm was forecast to move upwards, towards Batanes province on Sunday and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday.

Butchoy's strength is near the typhoon level. PAGASA labels a weather disturbance as typhoon if it is packing maximum sustained winds of 118 kph.

Data issued by the US Navy-Air Force's Joint Typhoon Warning Center, however, showed that Butchoy (international codename: Guchol) was already a typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots and gusts of 100 knots.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), meanwhile, said in its advisory that the southwest monsoon, not Butchoy is bringing rains over the country, particularly over Luzon and Visayas.

PAGASA said that even as Butchoy is not expected to make landfall, it is still being closely monitored because it may strengthen further and develop into a typhoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the Philippine National Policeremained on full alert in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

It added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already put on standby Quick Response Teams in its regional headquarters.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Public Works and Highways were also on alert at regional level due to the storm.

The NDRRMC said that it has monitored only one storm-related incident, which is a landslide along the Kalinga-Abra Road in the Talalang section.

Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet has also been closed due to unstable rock slope.