'Frank' gains strength, Signal No. 2 up over Samar provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The Samar provinces in Eastern Visayas were placed under Storm Signal 2 Thursday night as tropical storm "Frank" (Fengshen) continued to gain strength. In its 11 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said 11 other areas were placed under Storm Signal 1. As of 10 p.m., Pagasa estimated "Frank" to be 350 km east of Surigao or 330 km east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It was moving northwest at 15 kph and was expected to be 250 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar by Friday evening. By Saturday evening it was expected to be 430 kms east of Baler, Aurora. By Sunday evening it was expected to be 560 kms east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan. Under Storm Signal 1 were Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate and Ticao Island in Luzon; Leyte provinces and Biliran Island in the Visayas; and Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte in Mindanao. Pagasa said "Frank" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the rest of Mindanao and Visayas and later to Southern Luzon. "Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides," it said. It also advised those living in coastal areas against big waves or storm surges generated by "Frank."- GMANews.TV