MANILA, Philippines - Afternoon classes in the elementary and high school levels, as well as domestic flights, were cancelled as weather disturbance "Pedring" intensified into a typhoon before noon today.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of 10 a.m., the typhoon 's eye was estimated at 350 kilometers southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kph. It was moving slower at 17 kph at a west northwestward direction.
As "Pedring" intensified, PAGASA included several areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, under storm warning signals.
Afternoon classes in the elementary and highschool levels in Metro Manila and other areas under storm warning signals were suspended.
Public storm warning signal No. 2 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Burias Island, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon,
Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao and Cagayan.
Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila, Masbate, Ticao Island, Marinduque, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
Tarlac, Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands and Northern Samar.
PAGASA expects the typhoon to move in the vicinity of Casiguran, Aurora by Tuesday morning.
The weather bureau said that the typhoon will enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring heavy rains over Southern Luzon and Visayas.
It added that the estimated rainfall amount within the 650 km diameter of the typhoon is from 15 - 25 mm per hour.
PAGASA alerted residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Cancelled flights
As of 7:00 a.m. today, airport authorities also announced the flight disruptions due to the severe weather disturbance.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, domestic flights of the Philippine Airlines were cancelled, including PR 277 Manila to Legaspi, PR 278 Legaspi to Manila.
At the NAIA Terminal 3, budget airline Cebu Pacific cancelled domestic flights, including:
- 5J 821 Manila - Virac
- 5J 822 Virac - Manila
- 5J 707 Manila - Calbayog
- 5J 708 Calbayog - Manila
- 5J 325 Manila - Legaspi
- 5J 325 Legaspi - Manila
- 5J 521 Manila – Naga
- 5J 522 Naga – Manila
Air Philippines has also suspended its Manila-Masbate and Manila-Naga flights, including return flights, due to bad weather condition.
At the Manila Domestic Terminal, Zest Air also announced the cancellation of its flights to Masbate and its return trip this morning.
A total of 16 domestic flights were cancelled.
Reposted From Jun Pasaylo of The Philippine Star
