'Glenda' leaves RP

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Glenda” (international name Kompasu) left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday but state weather forecasters said it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over most parts of Luzon in the next few days.

In its final severe weather bulletin issued at 10:30 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Glenda was last spotted some 830 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Pagasa said the typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It was forecast to move northwest at 19 kph.

Glenda was predicted to be some 850 km northeast of Basco or 40 km north of Okinawa yesterday evening.

Glenda was the seventh tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the fourth weather disturbance in August.

Pagasa said Glenda gathered strength and became a typhoon as it moved northwest toward Japan yesterday morning.

The weather bureau said Glenda is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Northern and Central Luzon.

“Northern and Central Luzon will experience monsoon rains while the rest of country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers or thunderstorms,” Pagasa said.

It said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southwest with slight to moderate seas.