Slightly weakened, ‘‘Gener’s’ presence’ still felt in metro, Luzon, Western Visayas

 AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA

MANILA, Philippines—Ever wonder why despite news on Typhoon Gener’s near exit from the country, classes have been suspended in major areas in Metro Manila and provinces in Luzon?

Though typhoon “Gener” (international name Saola) has slightly weakened after hitting mountain ranges of eastern Taiwan, it still continues to induce the southwest monsoon in Luzon and Western Visayas, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

Only Batanes remained under public storm warning signal number one. Elsewhere, storm signals have been lowered, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

As of 11 a.m., “Gener” was located 380 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It was forecast to be 590 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes, outside the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday morning.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas were alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

Estimated rainfall amount is heavy (10 – 15 mm per hour) within the 600 km diameter of the typhoon.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft were advised not to venture out into the seaboard of Luzon and Visayas due to the combined effect of typhoon “Gener” and the southwest monsoon.