Typhoon ‘Paeng’ heads for exit

MANILA, Philippiness–Tropical Storm “Paeng” (international name: Nuri), which entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday, intensified into a typhoon Sunday afternoon, packing sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts up to 210 kph.

But because of its distance, Paeng is not expected to affect the country until it exits the PAR Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The 19th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year will continue to enhance the northeast monsoon and bring light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over Palawan, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

Isolated light rains are expected over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos while the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, can expect isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, Pagasa said.

However, Paeng caused warnings of rough to very rough seas in the eastern seaboards of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, Pagasa said, as it advised fishermen and small vessels against going out to sea.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday, the eye of the typhoon was 1,120 km east of Casiguran, Aurora.

It swerved further away from land as it moved northward at 13 kph toward Japan.

Pagasa said Paeng would be about 1,290 km east of Itbayat, Batanes, by Tuesday morning, and will be out of the PAR by Tuesday afternoon.–Dona Z. Pazzibugan