Huaning weakens as it moves to Taiwan

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MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Huaning (international name Soulik) slightly weakened as it continues to move towards the Taiwan-Batanes area.

In its 11pm, July 11 update, state weather bureau PAGASA said the eye of the typhoon was located 580 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The Batanes Group of Islands is under public storm warning signal number one, with winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour expected within the next 36 hours.

Huaning packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 210 kilometers per hour.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 to 46 mm per hour (heavy – torrential) within the 900-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

PAGASA also advised fishermen especially those using small boats against venturing out into the Northern and Eastern Seaboards of Luzon due to big waves.

The weather bureau warned about the following potential impacts of the winds in Batanes:

• Twigs and branches of trees may be broken
• Some banana plants may tilt or land flat on the ground
• Rice in flowering stage may suffer significant damage
• Some nipa and cogon houses may be partially unroofed
• Sea travel of small seacraft and fishing boats is risky

The typhoon is expected to be at 370 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday evening.

By Saturday evening, it is expected to be at 640 kilometers north northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

Taiwan is already preparing for the typhoon, evacuating more than 2,000 tourists and issuing a land warning.

Japan’s Okinawa also warned residents that giant waves of up to 12 meters could pound the archipelago. – Rappler.com