'Huaning' stronger; Signal No. 1 still up in Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Huaning" gathered more strength as it moved closer to Batanes province on Thursday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 10 a.m., the cyclone's center was estimated at 810 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The typhoon was stronger, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 220 kph. It has maintained its direction and speed, still moving west northwest at a speed of 20 kph.

The typhoon was forecast to remain near Batanes by Friday morning and move out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday.

Public storm warning signal number one remains hoisted over the Batanes Group of Islands.

The weather bureau advised fishermen not to venture out into the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon due to the big waves generated by the typhoon.