Pablo accelerates, roars towards Siquijor- Negros Oriental

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha) has slightly accelerated as it moved towards Siquijor- Negros Oriental area, the state weather bureau said Tuesday afternoon.

Pablo, the sixteenth storm to enter the Philippine territory for the year, continued to spawn heavy to intense rains within its 500-kilometer radius, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The powerful storm was last seen 60 km southeast of Dumaguete City, packing sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

It continued to move west northwest at 24 kph.

The following areas were placed under storm signal:

Signal No. 3 

Northern Palawan including Calamian Group of Islands

Bohol

Siquijor

Southern Cebu

Negros Oriental

Southern Negros Occidental

Iloilo

Guimaras

Antique

Lanao del Norte

Misamis Occidental

Zamboanga del Norte

Signal No. 2 

Rest of Palawan

Aklan

Capiz

Rest of Cebu including Camotes Island

Rest of Negros Occidental

Misamis Oriental

Agusan del Norte

Bukidnon

Lanao del Sur

Zamboanga del Sur including Sibugay

Signal No. 1

Occidental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro

Romblon

Leyte incl. Biliran

Southern Leyte

Surigao del Norte incl. Siargao

Surigao del Sur

Dinagat

Agusan del Sur

Davao del Norte

Compostela Valley

North Cotabato

Maguindanao

Fishing boats and other sea vessels were still advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.

Pablo, which made landfall in Davao Oriental early Tuesday, was forecast to be at 140 km Southwest of Coron, Palawan by Wednesday afternoon;  450 km West of Subic, Zambales by Thursday afternoon and 660 km Northwest of Iba, Zambales by Friday afternoon, Pagasa said.