Typhoon Dindo leaves Philippines today

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Dindo (international name Lionrock) is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility today, but it will continue to induce monsoon rains over the western section of the country this weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) spotted the eye of Dindo at 1,025 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

The typhoon packed winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

It was moving east-northeast slowly at seven kilometers per hour.

Rene Paciente, chief of PAGASA’s marine meteorological services section, said Dindo was forecast to exit PAR this afternoon.

However, the typhoon will continue to pull the rain-bearing southwest monsoon into the country until tomorrow.

“It will continue to enhance the habagat which will bring light to moderate rains over Western Luzon, including Metro Manila,” Paciente said.

PAGASA said the coastal waters in the entire country will be moderate to rough.

Meanwhile, all major dams in Luzon remained below critical levels as of yesterday.

Operators of Ambuklao dam in Benguet closed all floodgates as of 10 p.m. Thursday after its water level went down to 751.49 meters just 0.40 meter below its normal high water level.