Pagasa: Storm intensifies as it nears PAR

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri continues to intensify as it draws closer to the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported Thursday morning.

In its 4 a.m. weather bulletin, the state weather bureau said Kammuri was spotted 1,510 kilometers east of the Visayas with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

It is forecast to enter PAR by Sunday, one day after the formal opening of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

It will be given the local name Tisoy.

The storm is expected to affect parts of Luzon, particularly Southern Luzon.

Its trough or extension will bring isolated thunderstorms in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, Pagasa said.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will bring cloudy skies with light rain showers over Northern and Central Luzon.

Gale warning has been raised over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, Isabela, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

GSG