Storm signals lowered in Metro Manila, other areas

MANILA, Philippines - Public storm warning signals were lowered in Metro Manila and other areas after Super Typhoon "Yolanda" crossed and pummeled Visayas on Friday.

State weather bureau PAGASA said Yolanda was estimated at 115 kilometers west of Roxas City or over the water off the western coast of Antique at 4 p.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 250 kph.

Heavy to intense rainfall (10 to 20 millimeters) is estimated within the 400-kilometer diameter out of the 600-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin that Yolanda is forecast to move west northwest at 40 kph and is now traversing the Sulu Sea.

It is expected to cross Calamian Group of Islands between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and exit the Philippine landmass around 10 p.m., moving toward the West Philippine Sea.

Signal no. 4 is still hoisted in several areas but storm signals in other places have been lowered, including Metro Manila.

Signal No. 4
Extreme Northern Palawan
Calamian Group of Islands
Southern Occidental Mindoro
Southern Oriental Mindoro
Aklan
Capiz
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras

Signal No. 3
Rest of Mindoro provinces
Romblon
Rest of Northern Palawan
Puerto Princesa City

Signal No. 2
Lubang Island
Batangas
Marinduque
Rest of Palawan
Burias Island
Masbate
Ticao Island
Negros Provinces
Cebu
Biliran Island

Signal No. 1
Metro Manila
Bataan
Cavite
Rizal
Laguna
Quezon
Camarines provinces
Albay
Sorsogon
Samar provinces
Leyte provinces
Camotes Island
Bohol
Siquijor
Camiguin Surigao del Norte
Dinagat Province

Moving closer to Manila

In an earlier press briefing, PAGASA officer-in-charge administrator Vicente Malano said Yolanda will be at its closest to Metro Manila around 5 to 6 p.m. when stronger winds and rains could be experienced.

But he noted that the rainfall won't be "concentrated."

"We are expecting heavy to intense rainfall during the passage here in Metro Manila," Malano said. "Hindi po concentrated ang pagbagsak ng ulan dahil mabilis po 'yung takbo (ng bagyo)."

Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, echoed PAGASA's statement.

"Hindi masyadong maapektuhan tayo dahil mabilis ang pag-alis niya. So yung dala niyang ulan ay mabilis din na mawawala dahil palayo na siya," he said.