Betty to further weaken as it eits PAR

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone Betty was forecast to weaken into a severe tropical storm between last night and this morning as it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Betty was monitored 410 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m.yesterday.

The tropical cyclone was carrying maximum sustained winds of 120 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It was forecast to exit PAR this afternoon or tonight and pass near or make landfall on Ryukuyu islands in Japan tonight.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was still hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portion of Babuyan islands as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Betty may still bring heavy rain in parts of La Union, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon will bring rains over Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Antique and northern Palawan, including Cuyo, Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.

The southwest monsoon and Betty will bring scattered rains over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas.

Mindanao may experience isolated rains due to the southwest monsoon or habagat.

PAGASA said faster weakening of Betty is not ruled out due to the extent of the effect of dry air intrusion as well as cooler ocean waters and the increasing vertical wind shear.

The typhoon may further weaken into a tropical storm by Friday night or Saturday morning.

14,908 affected in N. Luzon

Despite minimal damage to property, Betty has affected 14,908 people in Northern Luzon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The NDRRMC said 216 of 3,821 affected families remained in 31 evacuation centers yesterday.

Records show that 1,815 families or 5,981 people were preemptively evacuated.

Provinces in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region were affected by the typhoon.

The NDRRMC said damage to infrastructure in the Cordilleras was estimated at only P68,695.

Assistance provided to families severely affected by the typhoon has reached more than P1.9 million. – Michael Punongbayan