‘Butchoy’ slightly intensifies, spotted off Eastern Samar

MTSAT ENHANCED IR Satellite Image for 3:32 pm, 15 June 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm Butchoy (international name Guchol) slightly intensified as it moved west-northwest Friday, the state weather bureau said.

It was seen 510 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuaran, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration said in its latest advisory.

But as per Pagasa, Butchoy remained a tropical storm and no public storm signals were raised.

However, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii has declared Butchoy a typhoon, moving 15 kph west-northwest and with an estimated rainfall of 15-35 millimeters per hour.

By Saturday morning, it is forecast 280 kilometers east northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar, Pagasa said.