'Quedan' speeds up; forecast exit moved to Saturday afternoon

MANILA, Philippines - The forecast exit of Typhoon Quedan (international name Fitow) was moved from Sunday to Saturday afternoon as it accelerated while hovering over the waters of Batanes province.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon was already moving towards the northern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

As of 10 a.m., the typhoon's center was estimated at 620 kilometers east of northeast of Itbayat, Batanes or 500 kilometers east of Northern Taiwan.

The typhoon was bearing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 160 kph. It was moving west northwest at a speed of 15 kph.

PAGASA said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) should remain on alert even as the typhoon has started its exit from the PAR.