Tuesday, December 4, 2012

'Pablo' gains speed; high warning signal up

More areas in Mindanao have been placed under public storm warning signal #3 as feared super typhoon "Pablo" (international codename "Bopha") gains speed and continues to move toward land. Storm signals #1 and #2 have also been hoisted over other parts of the island, as well as several areas in Luzon and the Visayas. "Typhoon 'Pablo' has maintained its strength and is now threatening Davao Oriental-Surigao Del Sur Area.," the state weather bureau Pagasa said in its 5 p.m. update Monday. Pablo was spotted 390 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur 10 a.m. Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 210 kph, Pagasa added. It is now moving west at a speed of 26 kph, faster than its previous speed of 24 kph. The typhoon is expected to make landfall Tuesday and leave the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday. Public storm warning signal #3 has been raised over the Mindanao areas of: -Surigao del Norte -Siargao -Surigao del Sur -Dinagat Province -Agusan del Norte -Agusan del Sur -Misamis Oriental -Bukidnon -Davao Oriental -Compostela Valley -Davao del Norte -Samal Island Under signal #2, meanwhile are the the areas of: -Southern Leyte -Bohol -Southern Cebu -Negros Oriental -Siquijor -Misamis Occidental -Lanao del Norte -Lanao del Sur -North Cotabato -Zamboanga del Norte The following areas are under signal #1: -Northern Palawan -Calamian Group Of Islands -Cuyo Island -Eastern Samar -Western Samar -Leyte -Biliran -Aklan -Capiz -Antique -Iloilo -Guimaras -Negros Occidental -Rest of Cebu -Camotes Island -Zamboanga del Sur -Maguindanao -Sultan Kudarat -Sarangani -South Cotabato "Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said. Those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal #3 and #2 have also been alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by Pablo.