'Marce' leaves RP, affects Mindanao evacuation centers

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Marce” (international name Sinlaku) finally left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday but government weathermen said rains would continue to prevail over the western section of Luzon until today.

Prisco Nilo, director of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat weakened as Marce exited the country yesterday afternoon.

Aside from occasional rain showers, he said no tropical cyclone is likely to enter the country in the next three to five days.

“The southwest monsoon is weak but rain showers would still prevail over the western part of Luzon today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday),” he said in a phone interview. “We can expect fair weather for the rest of the week.”

In a weather bulletin issued at 10:45 a.m. yesterday, Pagasa said Marce slightly weakened after making landfall over northern Taiwan.

It was last spotted some 470 kilometers north of Basco, Batanes or 30 kms south of Taipei, Taiwan, packing winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. – With James Mananghaya