Gorio keeps strength, heads to Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines – Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, Tropical Storm Gorio is now moving west northwest at 24 kph, PAGASA said in its latest bulletin posted at 11pm, Saturday, June 29.

The typhoon’s center was spotted 60 km northeast of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro at 10:00 pm. It is expected to be at 350 km northwest of Metro Manila Sunday evening, June 30.

By Monday evening, it is estimated to be 870 km northwest of Metro Manila before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Public storm warning signal no. 2 (winds of 61-100 kph) has been raised over the following areas: Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Mindoro Provinces including Lubang Island, Romblon Marinduque, Quezon Province, Camarines Provinces, Albay and Burias Island.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal no. 1 (with winds of 45-60 kph) has been hoisted over the following areas: 

LUZON: La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Polillo Island, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao Island, Coron and Calamian Group of Islands.

VISAYAS: Capiz, Aklan and Antique.

Public storm warning signals in previously affected areas have been lowered.

The state weather bureau warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal numbers 2 and 1 to prepare for possible flashfloods and landslides. Those living in coastal areas are cautioned against big waves or storm surges generated by the topical storm.

Gorio is expected to bring 5-15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) of rainfall within the 300-km diameter of the tropical storm. – Rappler.com