Queenie now a storm; LPA to bring heavy rains

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical cyclone "Queenie" gained strength and speed on Friday as it continued to move away from the country, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Queenie" intensied into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

Queenie was located at 220 kilometers north northwest of Puerto Princesa City at 10 a.m., moving west northwest at 26 kph.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 remains hoisted over Palawan, the Calamian Group of Islands and Cuyo Islands. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under the said locations are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

Moderate to heavy rainfall amount has been estimated within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

PAGASA said "Queenie" is expected to exit the western border of the Philippine Area of Responsibility between 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.

Meanwhile, the LPA spotted off Mindanao moved closer to country and was last located at 770 kilometers east of Davao City.

This weather system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms over Mindanao and Eastern and Central Visayas within 24 hours, according to PAGASA.