Bising slightly weakens; death toll hits 3

MANILA, Philippines — The eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon continued to experience rains with gusty winds yesterday due to Typhoon Bising, which lingers over the Philippine Sea.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portions of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Isabela. Tropical cyclone wind signals in other areas were lifted.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon slightly weakened as it accelerated north yesterday afternoon.

The center of the eye of Bising was located 345 kilometers east of Tuguegarao, Cagayan or 345 kms east of Aparri as of 4 p.m. It packed winds of 165 kms near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kms per hour.

The typhoon was moving north at 15 kph.

In the next 24 hours, rough to high seas of up to nine meters will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, the weather bureau warned the public.

Rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 4.5 meters) will prevail over the western seaboards of Northern Luzon as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.

PAGASA said Bising is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday morning.

The typhoon is likely to be downgraded into a severe tropical storm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported another fatality due to the typhoon, bringing the death toll to three.

The NDRRMC said a 19-year-old woman was hit by an uprooted tree in Barangay Sacub in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

The first two casualties were identified as a 47-year-old woman from Catmon , Cebu and a 79-year-old man from St. Bernard in Southern Leyte.

A 40-year-old resident of Barangay Dao in San Jose, Northern Samar remains missing.

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Operation Center said damage to agriculture reached P163.36 million yesterday.

The DA said 3,353 farmers and 4,826 hectares of agricultural areas in Bicol and Eastern Visayas have been affected, resulting in production loss of 9,774 metric tons. – Michael Punongbayan, Catherine Talavera