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‘Dodong’ now a storm; no classes in metro, Luzon areas


(Updated 7 p.m.) Tropical depression "Dodong" intensified into a storm on Wednesday and was detected over the Bashi Channel between the Philippines and Taiwan. Malacañang approved the National Disaster Coordinating Council's recommendation to suspend Thursday's classes in all levels in Metro Manila and 13 provinces in Luzon, namely, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, and Rizal. Southwest monsoon being pulled by tropical storm “Dondong" will bring heavy rains from night to dawn, Nathaniel Cruz, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief forecaster, told radio dzMM. Cruz said heavy rains will be felt in Metro Manila and western parts of Luzon like provinces in the Ilocos Region such as Pangasinan and other provinces in Central Luzon. But he said southwest monsoon has not yet reached Cagayan Valley. In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 p.m., Dodong (international code name Wutip) was 150 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. "Dodong" packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph, and was moving northwest at 19 kph. By Thursday afternoon it was forecast to be 400 kms north of Basco, Batanes or 100 km south of Taiwan. By Friday afternoon it was estimated to be 130 km northwest of Taipei, Taiwan. Batanes was placed under storm signal 2, with the Babuyan Islands put under storm signal 1. Pagasa warned residents in coastal areas under signal number 1 against big waves generated by the tropical cyclone. "Tropical storm 'Dodong' will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring rains over Luzon particularly at the western section. Those living in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides," it said. Dodong comes on the heels of tropical storm "Chedeng" (international codename: Pabuk), which had just left the Philippine area of responsibility as it headed toward China. As Chedeng enhanced the southwest monsoon, the tropical storm was blamed for 11 deaths, including 10 who died in a landslide on Tuesday in the gold mining town of Maco town, Compostela Valley province. Heavy rains since Tuesday night have started floods along España Avenue in Manila, affecting students of University of Santo Tomas. Traffic was also heavy along Legarda Street in Sampaloc, and along United Nations and Taft Avenues in Ermita. Floods and traffic jams also hounded Blumentritt, Dapitan and Maceda areas in the Sta. Cruz and Sampaloc districts. -GMANews.TV
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