‘Frank’ intensifies further, inches toward Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen) intensified further as it continued its path toward Mindoro province Saturday afternoon, state weather forecasters said. In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Frank" was off the coast of Romblon or near Tablas Island as of 4 p.m. "Frank" packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph, and was moving northwest at 11 kph. Pagasa said "Frank" was expected to cross Mindoro Saturday night and be 90 kilometers west of Calapan City or near Lubang Island Sunday afternoon. By Monday afternoon, it was expected to be 190 km west-northwest of Iba, Zambales. By Tuesday afternoon, it is expected to be 410 km west-northwest of Laoag City. Under Storm Signal 3 are Romblon, Marinduque, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island and Calamian Group of Islands in Luzon; Northern Antique, Aklan and Capiz in Visayas. Under Storm Signal 2 are Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Polillo Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Masbate, Burias Island, Northern Palawan and Metro Manila in Luzon; the rest of Antique, Iloilo and Guimaras in Visayas. Under Signal 1 are Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Southern Aurora, Sorsogon, and the rest of Palawan in Luzon; and Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor Island and Leyte in Visayas. Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm signals to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. It also advised those living in coastal areas under signals 2 and 3 against big waves or storm surges generated by "Frank." Also, Pagasa said "Frank" would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the Western section of Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. "Southern Luzon and Western Visayas will experience stormy weather. Central Luzon and the rest of Visayas will have rains and gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. The rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," it said. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Mindanao and its coastal waters will be with moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. - GMANews.TV