‘Ruby’ intensifies, slows down towards Eastern Visayas

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) has intensified and slightly slowed down as it continued to track towards Eastern Visayas early Friday.

Signal No. 2 or winds of 61-100 kilometers per hour in at least 24 hours was hoisted in the following areas:

Sorsogon

Ticao Island

Masbate

Northern Samar

Eastern Samar

Samar

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Northern Cebu

Cebu City

Bantayan Island

Camotes Island

Surigao del Sur

Agusan del Norte

Surigao del Norte

Dinagat Island

Siargao Island

Signal No. 1, or winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours, was placed in the following areas:

Catanduanes

Albay

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Burias Island

Romblon

Capiz

Iloilo

Negros Oriental

Negros Occidental

Rest of Cebu

Siquijor

Bohol

Misamis Oriental

Agusan del Sur

Camiguin Island

Ruby will pass areas that have yet to recover from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the strongest storm in the world to hit land in modern times which killed more than 6,000 last year.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Ruby packed maximum sustained winds of 215 kph the center and gusts of up to 250 kph.

It moved west northwest at 13 kph.

Ruby remained at sea at 500 kilometers east of East Borongan and Eastern Samar as 4a.m. and could gain more strength.

By Saturday morning, it is expected to make landfall in Samar area.

Heavy to intense rains are seen within Ruby’s 700 kilometer-diameter expanse.

Ruby and the Northeast Monsoon will bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, over the seaboards of Visayas and over the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao, Pagasa said.

“Fisherfolks and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards. Moreover, those living near coastal areas are alerted against possible storm surges,” it added.

RELATED STORIES

Ruby’ packs peak winds of 350 kph

‘Yolanda’ survivors rush to evac centers