‘Chedeng’ accelerates, moves northwest

Typhoon "Chedeng" (Songda) accelerated as it resumed its northwest course Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said "Chedeng" was 310 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar as of 4 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. "Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas will have rains and gusty winds becoming stormy over Bicol region and Samar provinces while Mindanao and the rest of Visayas will experience monsoon rains. The rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," it said. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Central Luzon and coming from southwest over Mindanao and the rest of Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough, it added. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. PAGASA said "Chedeng" was moving northwest at 15 kph — up from 9 kph in the afternoon bulletin — and is expected to be 230 km north of Catarman, Northern Samar or 140 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon it is expected to be 150 km north-northeast of Baler, Aurora. By Saturday afternoon it is expected to be 470 km north of Baler, Aurora or 40 km west of Basco, Batanes. The Japan Meteorological Agency's 5:45 p.m. update said "Chedeng" was moving west-northwest "slowly," with center winds of 90 knots (166.68 kph) and gustiness of up to 130 knots (240.76 kph). JMA said "Chedeng" may be "very strong" by Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It also indicated "Chedeng" may be east of Northern Luzon by Friday, and east of Extreme Northern Luzon by Saturday. The JMA projection did not indicate "Chedeng" would pass through Samar and Bicol, then Metro Manila. PAGASA earlier projected such a scenario had "Chedeng" moved westward. Storm signals PAGASA said areas under Storm Signal 2 include: * Catanduanes * Sorsogon * Albay * Camarines Sur * Camarines Norte * Samar provinces Under Storm Signal No. 1 are: * Marinduque * Masbate * Burias * Ticao Islands * Quezon * Polilio Island * Aurora * Biliran Island * Northern Leyte PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides. It also reminded those living in coastal areas to be alert against big waves or storm surges generated by "Chedeng." It added "Chedeng" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao. — KBK, GMA News