Paolo maintains strength; LPA spotted

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Paolo maintained its strength yesterday as it moved north-northwest over the Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Paolo is expected to dump moderate to heavy rains within the 1,100-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

At 1 p.m. yesterday, Paolo was located 930 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

With maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph, Paolo is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph.

“Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern, Central and Southern Luzon; Palawan, the western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao,” the state weather bureau said in its bulletin yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area was monitored 150 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The weather system, along with the outer rainbands of Paolo as well as the southwesterly winds, will bring scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms over Palawan, the Visayas, Bicol, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

PAGASA warned residents against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Paolo is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday morning.