‘Gener’ makes landfall in northeastern Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Gener” has maintained its strength as it made landfall over northeastern Taiwan, the weather bureau said Thursday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Gener was estimated 405 kilometers north of Baco, Batanes as of 4 a.m.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

It was moving north northwest at 15 kph and would be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday morning, Pagasa said.

Pagasa placed the Batanes Group of Islands under Signal No. 1 while public storm warning signals have been lowered elsewhere.

Gener is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains and moderate to strong winds over Luzon and Western Visayas, Pagasa said.

The weather bureau reiterated its warning to residents of low-lying and mountainous areas to the dangers of flash floods and landslides.