Weather: 'Kabayan' moves farther away from PHL

Typhoon "Kabayan" (international name: Muifa) continued to move away from Philippine territory but a potential cyclone inched closer to the Ilocos region before noon Tuesday, state weather forecasters said. In its 11:00 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also warned of the continued threat of possible flash floods and landslides over Luzon. "('Kabayan' is) expected to enhance the southwest monsoon over Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said, adding "Kabayan" had maintained its strength and continued to move north-northwest. As of 10:00 a.m., PAGASA said "Kabayan" was estimated at 1,140 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. It packed maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph, and was moving north-northwest at 11 kph. It added the 700-km diameter of the typhoon can bring an estimated rainfall of 15 to 30 mm per hour. By Wednesday morning, it is expected to be 990 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. By Thursday morning it is expected to be 785 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or 170 km southeast of Okinawa, Japan. Meanwhile, PAGASA said the potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, was estimated at 110 km West Northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. - VVP, GMA News