'Vinta' to move out of PAR today - PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Vinta" has maintained its strength as it exit land and starts to move out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the state weather bureau said Friday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 6 a.m., the typhoon's center was located at 100 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometer per hour and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

The typhoon was moving northwest at a speed of 22 kph.

PAGASA said the typhoon will move out of the PAR by the afternoon.

The weather bureau lowered public storm signal alerts hoisted over some areas as"Vinta" starts to move away from the country.

Public storm warning signal number e only remains hoisted over Ilocos Norte while signal number 2 is up over Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga and Ilocos Sur.

Signal number remains raised over the Batanes Group of Islands, Isabela, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet and La Union.

PAGASA said areas under storm signals No. 3 and 2 should be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Residents along coastal areas were also alerted against possible storm surges.