Maria sustains strength — PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Maria (international name) has maintained its strength as it moves northwestward, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

The eye of Typhoon Maria was located, based on all available data, at 1,960 km east of Central Luzon (outside the Philippine area of responsibility), PAGASA’s 4 p.m. bulletin noted.               

Although moving slowly northwest, it has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 225 kph.

“Typhoon Maria may enter the Philippine area of responsibility on (Monday) morning. Landfall in any part of the country remains less likely,” the weather bureau said.

The typhoon may enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over Metro Manila, Western Visayas and western sections of Calabarzon and Mimaropa until today.

Monsoon rains may also affect Metro Manila and the western sections of Central Luzon, of Calabarzon and of Mimaropa beginning tomorrow.                

Residents of these areas, especially those living in low-lying and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate measures against possible flooding and landslides due to heavy rains, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices and continue monitoring for updates.