Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Babuyan as 'Butchoy' moves towards Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines -- Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 is up over Batanes, Calayan and the Babuyan group of islands as Typhoon Butchoy maintained intensity while moving closer to Taiwan.

 

Pagasa said in a weather bulletin on Thursday morning that the typhoon was last located 330 km east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 220 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

 

The state weather bureau said moderate to heavy rain can be expected within the 600-km diameter of Butchoy and advised fisherfolk along the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon to stay ashore.

 

The typhoon is expected move northwest at 25 kph and will be 315 kn north northwesy of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday morning. Butchoy is forecast to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.