Jenny brings rains to Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Jenny (international name Dujuan) intensified into a typhoon yesterday as it moved northwest over the Philippine Sea, bringing monsoon rains over the Visayas and Mindanao, the state weather bureau said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Jenny was spotted at 1,010 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon was forecast to move northwest at nine kph within the next 12 hours.

Jenny was unlikely to hit landmass, PAGASA said, but it would continue to enhance the moisture-laden southwest monsoon, bringing rains over the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly the western side, this weekend.

Monsoon rains are also expected in most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, this weekend.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region and the rest of the Visayas and of Mindanao.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. 

The weather bureau warned residents of Palawan, Western Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula against possible flashfloods and landslides.

PAGASA also advised the public not to venture out to the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by the typhoon.

Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough, it said.

If Jenny maintains its speed and movement, it is forecast to exit by Monday towards Taiwan, the weather agency said.

PAGASA said the slow movement of the typhoon is due to the presence of a high-pressure area.

PCG on alert

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Armand Balilo yesterday said they have advised their districts and stations in Northern Luzon to be on alert for Jenny.

“We are also checking on the other districts that might be affected by the monsoon rains because like in Cebu, the district commander, Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, prevented our boats from traveling because of the bad weather prevailing in the area,” Balilo said.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the PCG said 60 passengers were reportedly stranded in Cebu. Several vessels were also stranded in Cebu, Bohol and Leyte. – With Evelyn Macairan