‘Butchoy’ now a typhoon but won’t hit PH

MANILA—”Butchoy” intensified into a typhoon yesterday but was still not expected to make landfall anywhere in the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services administration said.

Despite Butchoy’s increased strength, no public storm warnings were raised in the country yesterday, although Pagasa warned of flashfloods, landslides and rough seas as well as more rains.

Pagasa said Butchoy was enhancing the southwest monsoon, which would bring rains over Luzon and the Visayas, especially the western section.

As of 4 p.m., Butchoy was 490 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. with 160 kph to  195 kph winds.

Butchoy also sped up a little, moving north northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

Fernando Cada said that although Butchoy gained strength, no storm signals were raised because of the typhoon’s distance from any Philippine land mass.

“Even though its diameter is 500 kilometers, it would not reach any land mass,” Cada said.

Cada said the winds and rains would be over the sea, which was why  waves are expected to be big.

Pagasa said the public and  disaster coordinating councils around the country should exercise caution and keep abreast of weather developments.

By Sunday morning, Butchoy is expected to be 590 kilometers southeast of Casiguran, Aurora, and 500 kilometers east southeast of Basco, Batanes, by Monday morning.

By Tuesday, it will  be 600 kilometers northeast of Basco.  /Inquirer