Monster typhoon 'Yolanda' stronger; 30 areas under storm alert

MANILA, Philippines - Over 30 areas have been placed under a storm signal after Typhoon "Yolanda" intensified further as it approaches and threatens Eastern Visayas, state weather bureau PAGASA said early Thursday morning.

The agency said in its 5 a.m. bulletin that Yolanda was last spotted at 822 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and now bears maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 250 kph.

Yolanda is forecast to move west northwest at 30 kph.

Related: Super typhoon 'Yolanda' enters PAR

Heavy to intense rainfall amount (10 to 30 millimeters per hour) is estimated within the 600-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

Public storm warning signals have been raised over the following areas:

Signal No. 2

Visayas
Eastern Samar
Samar Southern Leyte

Mindanao
Surigao Del Norte
Siargao Island
Dinagat Island
Northern part of Surigao Del Sur
Northern part of Agusan Del Norte

Signal No. 1

Luzon
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Albay
Sorsogon
Ticao Island
Burias Island
Masbate
Romblon
Marinduque
Southern Quezon

Visayas
Aklan
Capiz
Iloilo
Antique
Guimaras
Negros Occidental and Oriental
Cebu
Camotes Island
Bohol
Siquijor
Leyte
Biliran Island
Northern Samar

Mindanao
Camaguin
Misamis Oriental
Rest of Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Rest of Surigao del Sur

PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky over the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

The agency had said that Yolanda is expected to make landfall over over Eastern Visayas or Samar-Leyte area and then traverse the central part of the country.

The 24th tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, Yolanda is already considered as a super typhoon by the Hawaii-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the US Military.

Related: 'Yolanda' now a super typhoon; may be stronger than 'Pablo' that killed 1000

PAGASA: 'Yolanda' could be strongest typhoon to hit Phl this year

PAGASA had warned that Yolanda could still gain strength while still over seawaters and signal no. 4 can be raised over some areas due to the typhoon's strength.

The agency said Wednesday that Yolanda could also be the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.

Yolanda is expected to be at 240 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Friday morning and within the vicinity of Romblon by Saturday morning.

Related: Monster typhoon roars toward Visayas