Still more rains as Jose exits

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Jose (international name Halong) began to move away from the Philippines yesterday but state weather forecasters said heavy rains will continue in some parts of Central and Northern Luzon until tomorrow due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Jose weakened further and veered northeast toward Southern Japan before noon yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The typhoon was forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow morning.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Metro Manila residents can expect improved weather beginning today.

However, he said heavy to intense rains may persist over the Ilocos region and Central Luzon, specifically Bataan and Zambales, until tomorrow.

He said good weather is expected in many parts of the country this weekend.

As 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Jose was spotted at 745 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

It was forecast to move north northeast at 15 kph.

Jose was projected to be at 860 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes this morning and 1,090 km northeast of Basco tomorrow morning.

Towns flooded, classes suspended

Jose has caused floods in at least three Central Luzon towns and has disrupted classes in two provinces, authorities said yesterday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of eight barangays in three municipalities have experienced floods due to heavy rains.

Four of the affected barangays are located in Bataan while four others are in Zambales.

The affected barangays were Almacen, Daungan and A. Rivera in Hermosa town and Balong Anito in Mariveles, all in Bataan.

Other barangays hit by floods were Alusiis, Libertad, La Paz and Beddeng, all in San Narciso, Zambales.

The bad weather caused suspension of classes in Bataan and Cavite.

Three roads in Cordillera region were closed to traffic due to maintenance, namely the Balbalan-Pinukpuk road in Kalinga, Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur road via Tue and Junction Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road both in Mt. Province. - With Alexis Romero, Artemio Dumlao, Ric Sapnu