Typhoon Paolo maintains strength as it brings rain to PH

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MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Paolo (Lan) maintained its strength late Wednesday morning, October 18, as it continued to bring rain to the country.

In a bulletin issued 11 am on Wednesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Paolo still has maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 145 km/h.

The typhoon is already 735 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, moving north northwest at a slightly faster 20 km/h from the previous 17 km/h.

There are no areas under tropical cyclone warning signals since Paolo is too far from land, and it is not expected to make landfall in the Philippines. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

But the outer rainbands of the typhoon are bringing moderate to heavy rain to Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga. There is also light to moderate rain in the rest of Southern Luzon, of the Visayas, and of Mindanao.

Residents of those areas should watch out for possible floods and landslides.

Sea travel is also risky in the eastern seaboard of the Visayas and of Mindanao.

Paolo is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday, October 22.

PAGASA also continues to monitor a low pressure area (LPA), which has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.

The LPA is already 280 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, bringing light to heavy rain to the province. – Rappler.com