Storm signals up in 26 areas as 'Chedeng' weakens

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 6:00 p.m.) — State weather bureau PAGASA raised public storm signals over 26 areas as typhoon "Chedeng" (international name Maysak) weakened into a tropical storm while over the Philippine Sea.

In a 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said the cyclone continues to move closer to Isebela-Aurora area at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), up from its previous 22 kph tracking speed.

As of 4 p.m., the center of the typhoon was spotted 340 kilometers southeast of Casiguran, Aurora still with weakened, but still rather intense winds of up to 115 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph.

Areas expected to be battered with winds of 101 to 185 kph in at least 18 hours are those under Storm Signal Number 3, namely:

• Isabela
• Aurora

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas in the provinces are alerted against flashfloods and landslides, PAGASA said.

Other impacts of the winds under Signal No. 3 are "heavy" damage to agriculture, "severe damage" to billboards and signages, "considerable damage" to structure of light to medium construction and distruption of electric power distribution.

The following areas, meanwhile, were placed under Storm Signal Number 2, likely to be affected by winds of 61 to 100 kph within at least 24 hours.

• Northern Quezon
• Nueva Ecija
• Southern Cagayan
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Nueva Viscaya
• Quirino
• Catanduanes

The areas are warned against stormy weather with heavy rains, as winds may also uproot some trees, unroof nipa or cogon houses and rolling off of billboards and signages.

Under storm signal Storm Signal 1 that may have occasional rains with occasional gusty winds moving at 30 to 60 kph in at least 36 hours are:

• Rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Island
• Apayao
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Abra
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Rizal
• Rest of Quezon including Polillo Island
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur

Areas under storm Signal Number 2 are expected to have occasional rains with some gusty winds.

The cyclone may also exit landmass through Ilocos Sur by Sunday evening. It is forecast to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday.