'Mina' now a typhoon; threat to Bicol provinces increases

Tropical storm "Mina" has intensified into a typhoon as it increases its threat to the Bicol region, state weather forecasters said Wednesday. In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration Services (Pagasa) said that as of 10 a.m., "Mina" was located 490 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near its center with gustiness of up to 150 kph. "Mina" was moving in a western direction at 15 kph, Pagasa said. By Friday morning, "Mina" is expected to be 180 km east of Virac, Catanduanes; 40 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte by Saturday morning; and by Sunday morning, 60 km west of Tayabas, Quezon. Still under Signal No. 2 is the province of Catanduanes while areas under Signal No. 1 are: Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, Quezon, Polillo Island and Northern Samar. "Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under public storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, residents in coastal areas are also advised to be alert for big waves generated by this tropical cyclone," the Pagasa advisory read. Meanwhile, tropical storm "Lando" was located 180 km west southwest of Pagasa Island as of 10 a.m. Wednesday as it continued to move away from the country. "Lando" was packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 135 kph. Moving in a west northwest direction at 11 kph, "Lando" was forecast to be 260 km west southwest of Pagasa Island by Friday morning. Storm Signal No. 1 was still hoisted over the Kalayaan Group of Islands. - GMANews.TV