Bising (Surigae) weakened from a severe tropical storm into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon, April 24, less than a day ahead of its projected exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Bising’s maximum sustained winds are now at only 85 kilometers per hour (km/h), while its gustiness is up to 105 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 5 pm bulletin on Saturday.
“Further weakening is expected throughout the forecast period due to unfavorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions,” added PAGASA.
At its peak, Bising was a typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h. If it had exceeded 220 km/h, it would have been a super typhoon. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)
As of Saturday afternoon, Bising was already 1,080 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, moving east southeast at 15 km/h.
At that pace, it would leave PAR on Sunday morning, April 25.
In the meantime, the tropical storm will continue to affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Moderate to rough waters are expected, with waves 1.5 to 3.5 meters high.
The state weather bureau advised small vessels and “inexperienced mariners” not to venture out to sea.
For Sunday, the Philippines will have generally fair weather, with just isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Bising, which entered PAR on April 16, did not make landfall in the Philippines. But it triggered heavy rain that caused floods and landslides earlier in the week.
Signal No. 2 was the highest tropical cyclone wind signal that was raised due to Bising. By Thursday afternoon, April 22, all wind signals had already been lifted.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Bising left at least 4 people dead and 13 others injured in Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region.
Bising is the Philippines’ second tropical cyclone for 2021. The country sees around 20 tropical cyclones a year. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2021)
For the next 6 months, the state weather bureau estimates the following number of tropical cyclones inside PAR:
- May – 0 or 1
- June – 1 or 2
- July – 1 to 3
- August – 2 or 3
- September – 2 or 3
- October – 2 or 3
– Rappler.com
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