6 areas under storm signal as 'Glenda' intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm "Glenda" has gained strength as it continues to head to the Bicol-Quezon area, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday morning.

In its latest weather bulletin, Pagasa said Glenda (international name Rammasun) was located at 750 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes at 4 a.m.

Glenda was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kliometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph.

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rainfall (7.5 to 15 millimeters per hour) is expected within the 400-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 has been raised over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Northern Samar.

According to Pagasa, winds of 30 to 60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours in these areas.

Forecast to move west at 30 kph, Glenda is expected to barrel through Luzon this week. By Tuesday morning, it would be at 280 kilometers east of Virac Catanduanes and at 60 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon by Wednesday morning.

By Thursday morning, it is expected to be at 250 km Northwest of Iba, Zambales.

Pagasa is advising fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Luzon and of Visayas.

Glenda is the seventh tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.