‘Onyok’ turns into a typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — “Onyok” has strengthened into a typhoon and will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over several provinces on Tuesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Based on its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, signal No. 1 is still hoisted over Batanes province and the Babuyan Group of Islands due to the weather system.

While it would not make landfall, Onyok’s rainbands are expected to bring occasional light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains and gusty winds over Batanes.

As of 4 p.m. on Monday, the center of the typhoon was located at 320 kilometers northeast of Basco town.

It packed maximum winds of up to 130 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Pagasa said Onyok was moving north at 20 kph, and was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday evening or early Tuesday morning. —Jhesset O. Enano