Hanna exits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Hanna (international name Soudelor) left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon as it continued to move westward toward mainland China.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the typhoon was located at 445 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Hanna is forecast to be at 835 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes this afternoon.

The weather bureau downgraded to signal number one the storm warning raised over Batanes province at 5 p.m. yesterday.

It also lifted the storm warning signal in Calayan and Babuyan Islands.

“Rains with gusty winds will prevail over Batanes province,” PAGASA said.

“Monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Western Visayas. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas,” it added.

The weather bureau said the typhoon weakened as it crossed over the rugged terrain of Taiwan.

In its typhoon advisory issued at 5 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA said Hanna has maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

It is forecast to move northwest at 20 kph.

PAGASA said estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 700-km diameter of the typhoon.

It added that the typhoon is enhancing the southwest monsoon and is affecting Southern Luzon and the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon and the Visayas.

“Fisherfolk are advised not to venture out to the seaboards of Luzon and Eastern Visayas,” the state weather bureau said.

“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” it added.

A heavy rainfall warning was issued in Panay Island yesterday, while light to moderate rains were experienced in Metro Manila, Batangas, Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Romblon and Zamboanga Sibugay.  – With Danny Dangcalan