Typhoon Jose exits Thursday

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Jose (international name Halong) is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, but will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains in most parts of the country in the next three days, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advised residents in the western section of central and northern Luzon to remain alert against possible flashfloods and landslides as heavy rains are likely to persist over these areas.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said the southwest monsoon would continue to dump moderate to heavy rains over Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, Benguet and Ilocos province.

Paciente warned residents in mountainous areas in central and northern Luzon against possible landslides, saying the soil is saturated.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Jose was spotted at 840 kilometers east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.

It was forecast to move northwest at 11 kph.

Paciente said Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao would continue to experience light to moderate rains.