Paolo to bring rains until weekend

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau yesterday warned residents in the eastern section of the country against possible flashfloods and landslides as Typhoon Paolo (international name Lan)’s outer bands will continue to bring rains until the weekend.

Paolo is expected to develop into a super typhoon between Friday and Saturday before passing close to Okinawa and mainland Japan, international weather agencies said.

Paolo intensified from a severe tropical storm into a typhoon yesterday as it continued to swirl north toward southern Japan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA said the typhoon is still unlikely to hit any part of the country. However, its outer spiral bands will bring scattered moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas and Caraga in the next three days.

It will also bring light to moderate rains over the rest of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Paolo was spotted at 910 kilometers east of Legazpi City, Albay, packing winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph.

Paolo is projected to move north-northwest at a speed of 16 kph.

PAGASA warned against sailing in the eastern seaboard of the Visayas and Mindanao.

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

Apart from Paolo, a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea is also bringing rains over Palawan.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the low-pressure area was estimated at 335 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

This weather system will continue to bring scattered light to moderate with possible occasional heavy rains over Palawan.

The low-pressure area is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone, PAGASA said.