Via Sun.Star Manila: Pablo maintains strength; signal no. 3 up in Caraga Region. Excerpt:
MANILA (Updated 11:57 a.m.) -– The strength of Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha) is expected to be felt Monday evening in the Eastern Seaboard and Northern Mindanao areas, the state weather bureau said.
In its 11 a.m. Monday bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted public storm warning signal number 3 in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao Dinagat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
At 10 a.m. Monday, the eye of Typhoon “PABLO” was located based on satellite and surface data at 550 kilometers (km) Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (6.9°N, 131.4ºE).
It has maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph and is forecasted to move West Northwest at 24 kph.
Typhoon Pablo is expected to be at 30 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Tuesday morning. By Wednesday morning, it will be at 150 km West of Iloilo City and at 400 km West of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro by Thursday morning, Pagasa said.
Pagasa raised signal number 2 in Southern Leyte, Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, and Compostela Valley.
Areas under storm signal number 1 are Cuyo Island, East Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros occidental, Cebu, and Siquijor.
"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal 2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," Pagasa said.
The agency added that fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.
Some classes in the affected areas have been suspended on Monday. The Ateneo de Davao University has declared suspension of classes in preschool, nursery and kindergarten levels.
Under DepEd Order number 28 series of 2005, classes in pre-school are automatically suspended or cancelled in areas under Storm Signal No. 1 while classes from preschool, elementary and high school are automatically suspended or cancelled in areas under Storm Signal No. 2.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, the eye of Typhoon Pablo was located at 700 kilometers Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It has maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.
Pagasa noted that Pablo has weakened slightly and projected to move west northwestward at 24 kph. However, the agency reported that estimated rainfall amount is from 20 to 30 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 600 km diameter of the typhoon.
