‘Typhoon may intensify as it enters PAR’

MANILA, Philippines — A typhoon with international name Mindulle may continue to intensify as it moves closer to the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the typhoon, which would be named Lannie once it enters PAR, may reach a peak intensity of 185 to195 kilometers per hour today.

The trough of the typhoon will bring isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

PAGASA said partly cloudy to cloudy skies would be caused by the trough of the typhoon aside from localized thunderstorms.

Mindulle was monitored at 1,420 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 p.m. yesterday.

The typhoon slightly intensified with maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph yesterday.

PAGASA said the typhoon was unlikely to directly affect the weather condition in the country even as it was expected to enter the country between last night and this morning.

PAGASA said Mindulle would cause moderate to rough seas due to swells over the seaboards of extreme Northern Luzon and the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, which is risky for small seacraft.

The typhoon was forecast to leave PAR tonight.

PAGASA said up to three tropical cyclones may enter the country next month while five to eight could be expected until the end of the year.