'Katring' threatens fishermen in north, east Luzon

As it moves toward Southern Japan, typhoon "Katring" (international name: Chaba) posed a threat to fishermen and travelers in northern and eastern Luzon on Wednesday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advised fishing boats and small seacraft in the areas not to venture out to sea. "Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of northeasterly winds enhanced by Typhoon 'Katring' (is expected to) affect the seaboards of Northern and Eastern Luzon," PAGASA said in its gale warning. "Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it added. However, PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said "Katring" is no longer likely to have other effects on the country. In an interview on dzBB radio Wednesday, he said "Katring" is moving upward toward Southern Japan. "Ito di nakakaapekto sa anumang panig ng ating bansa. Ito kumikilos pataas papuntang Southern Japan ('Katring' is not likely to affect any part of the country as it is moving towards Southern Japan)," he said. Meanwhile, Jun Galang told dzBB Tuesday night "Katring" may move out of the Philippine area of responsibility as early as Friday. Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the eye of "Katring" was estimated at 550 kilometers (km) east of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 4 a.m. It packed maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph and is forecast to move north-northwest at 9 kph. "Luzon and Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over Northern and Eastern Luzon. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Light to moderate winds coming from the northeast to northwest over the rest of Luzon and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas. – VVP, GMANews.TV