Typhoon ‘Pablo’ slightly weakens

Source: Project Noah | 5:30 am, Dec. 3, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Pablo” (international codename: Bopha) has slightly weakened as it moved west northwestward at 24 kilometers per hour, the weather bureau said early Monday.

As of 4 a.m., Pablo was located 700 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, Pagasa said.

Public storm Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Surigao del Sur and northern part of Davao Oriental.

Public storm Signal No. 1, meanwhile, was raised over Siquijor, Bohol, Biliran, Camotes

Island, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Dinagat Is., Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, rest of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte including Samal Is., Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Pablo was expected to be at 175 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Tuesday morning and at 80 km south of Iloilo City by Wednesday morning.

Pagasa alerted residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal No. 2 and No. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal No. 2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone.