PAGASA: 'Bebeng' moving toward southern Japan

After devastating parts of Luzon and Visayas, tropical storm "Bebeng" (international code name: Aere) started moving toward southern Japan on Tuesday and could be out of Philippine territory by Thursday. However, state weather forecasters said rains may still fall on parts of Luzon due to the northeast monsoon that intensified due to "Bebeng." "Kumikilos nang papalayo ang bagyong si 'Bebeng,' kumikilos ito... towards the southern islands of Japan," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Elvie Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio. However, she said residents of Metro Manila and parts of Luzon can still expect rains on Wednesday due to the northeast monsoon, although the weather will start improving and become hot again in the coming days. "As of now hindi pa po nagstart ang rainy season. Ang mga pag-ulan ay dala pa rin ng bagyong Bebeng," Enriquez said. "Inaasahan po natin na sa Thursday nasa labas na po ng PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) si Bebeng," she said. PAGASA's 5:00 a.m. advisory indicated "Bebeng" was 120 kilometers (km) southeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4:00 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was moving north-northeast at 17 kph and is expected to be 330 km northeast of Basco, Batanes; and 645 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or 130 km west-southwest of Okinawa, Japan by Thursday morning. Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 include Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes, Babuyan, and Calayan. "Tropical Storm 'Bebeng' is expected to bring rains over the western section of Luzon. Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal number 1 are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," it said. PAGASA's 5:00 a.m. bulletin also said Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes and the islands of Babuyan and Calayan will have occasional rains and gusty winds. It said the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will experience monsoon rains. The rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. "Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northwest and Southwest will prevail over the Western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Light to moderate winds blowing from the Southeast to Southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas," it said. Meanwhile, strong to gale force winds are expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. PAGASA said fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. - VVP, GMA News