MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Florita (international name Neoguri) gathered more strength as it continued to move toward southern Japan yesterday, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon was spotted at 500 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes at 4 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
It was forecast to move north northwest at 20 kph.
PAGASA weather forecasting section chief Rene Paciente said Florita is the strongest typhoon to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) so far this year.
He said Florita could still intensify into a super typhoon while inside the PAR.
The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center has designated Neoguri a “super typhoon,” a category it uses for typhoons with winds over 240 kph.
Florita was forecast to make landfall over southern Japan tomorrow, Paciente said.
He said Florita was not expected to hit any part of the country, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the provinces of Panay, Mindoro, Palawan, Batangas, Cavite, Zambales and Bataan.
He said the rest of Luzon and the Visayas will have occasional rains.
Florita is expected to be at 600 km northeast of Basco or outside PAR this morning.
Paciente said improvement in weather in these areas is expected beginning Thursday.
He also advised operators of fishing boats and other small sea craft not to venture out to the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboards of Visayas due to big waves generated by the typhoon.
Paciente said wave heights in the eastern seaboard of Luzon could reach as high as 3.4 to 4.5 meters.
Meanwhile, Paciente said no other weather disturbance was spotted outside and within the PAR as of yesterday afternoon.
Classes suspended
Classes in pre-school, elementary, and secondary levels were suspended in most schools in Iloilo City yesterday due to heavy flooding.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also ordered the cancellation of sea travel in Iloilo, Guimaras, and Bacolod City around 10 a.m.
The suspension was lifted an hour later. – With Jennifer Rendon