PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines - Typhoon "Pablo," packing less power than when it ravaged parts of Mindanao, avoided a direct hit on Puerto Princesa by veering north as it exited towards the West Philippine Sea Thursday morning.

Nonetheless, the city's main tourist attraction, the Underground River, was closed because of the rough sea condition.

Northern Palawan suffered the brunt of the typhoon with heavy rains in the Calamianes region and strong winds in the northern mainland, prompting the evacuation of 477 families or 1,039, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The evacuations, were mainly due to storm surge or heavy winds and were done to prevent human casualties, PDRRMC head Winston Gonzales said in a press conference.

The luxurious El Nido resort, however, is also bracing for Pablo.

All commercial flights from Manila and Cebu were suspended, stranding hundreds of passengers and tourists. - Rappler.com