Typhoon ‘Pablo’ continues to weaken; 10 areas under Signal No. 3

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 11 p.m., 04 December 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Pablo” continues to weaken as it moves towards northern Palawan, the weather bureau said late Tuesday.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the eye of Typhoon Pablo was located based on radar, satellite and surface data at 145 kilometers southwest of Iloilo City, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pablo was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Pagasa said.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 24 kph, Pagasa added.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3 was hoisted over northern Palawan incl. Calamian Grp. of Islands, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bohol, Siquijor, southern Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Signal No. 2 was raised in Aklan, Capiz, rest of Cebu, rest of Palawan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Camiguin.

Meanwhile, Leyte Prov. incl. Biliran, Camotes Is. and Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Sur incl. Sibugay, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Sur were placed under Signal No. 1.

Public storm warning signals elsewhere are now lowered, Pagasa said.

Due to the prevailing typhoon, Pagasa warned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 and Signal No. 3 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by the typhoon.

The weather bureau advised fishing boats and other sea vessels not to venture out into the seaboards of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.