'Ruby' stronger than 'Pablo', signal no. 2 up in 8 areas

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon 'Ruby' has intensified further as it continues to head for Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its latest weather bulletin on Thursday, PAGASA said the center of the typhoon was located at 720 kilometers east of Surigao City.

Ruby is now bearing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the United States military has categorized Ruby as a super typhoon.

In an earlier televised press briefing, PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez noted that Ruby is now stronger than Pablo, the typhoon that killed more than 1,000 in Mindanao in 2012.

PAGASA expects heavy to intense rainfall within the 700-kilometer diameter of Ruby.

The agency has raised public storm warning signal no. 2 over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Island and Siargao Island.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 is also raised over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao Island; Northern Cebu including Bantayan Island and Camotes Island; Bohol, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Camiguin Island and Agusan del Norte.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains are expected within 24 to 36 hours over the areas with the storm signals.

It warned residents in low lying and mountainous areas gainst possible flashfloods and landslides. 

"Moreover, those living near coastal areas are alerted against possible storm surges," the agency added.

Ruby is expected to be at 360 kilometers east east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar tomorrow afternoon. By Saturday afternoon, it is expected to make landfall over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area.

PAGASA said Ruby and the northeast monsoon or 'amihan' will bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, over the seaboards of Visayas and over the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. 

Fisherfolks and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards.