'Gorio' exits Philippines, heads for southern China

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm "Gorio" (international name Rumbia) gathered more strength as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Monday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the storm's center was estimated at 560 kilometers northwest of Dagupan City as of 4 a.m.

It gained more strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 100 kph.

The storm was moving northwest at a speed of 30 kph as it heads for Southern China.

Fishermen using small boats were still advised not to venture out into the western seaboards of Luzon due to the big waves generated by the storm.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Sunday night that it monitored five incidents at the height of the storm, including a flooding incident in Occidental Mindoro, a landslide in Masbate, a tornado hitting Quezon province, cases of uprooted trees and fallen posts in AntipolotoCity in Rizal and a whirlwind incident in Sorsogon.

The NDRRMC said that the storm affected 3,424 families in Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas. Of the affected persons, only 1,704 are currently staying in evacuation centers.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, a total of 5,803 ferry passengers were stranded in Central Visayas, Palawan, Southern Luzon and Eastern Viayas.