‘Ruby’ to make 3rd landfall on Sibuyan Island early Monday

Motorists pass by toppled electrical posts due to strong winds brought by Typhoon Hagupit in Camalig, Albay province, eastern Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. AP

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon “Ruby” (international name Hagupit) has maintained its strength and is expected to make a third landfall on Sibuyan Island in Romblon early Monday, the weather bureau said Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the typhoon was expected to hit Sibuyan Island between 2:00 am and 4:00 am on Monday.

In its 5:00 pm bulletin, Pagasa said that Ruby was last located within the vicinity of Aroroy, Masbate and was moving west northwest at 10 kilometers per hour.

Packing maximum sustained winds of up to 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Ruby is expected to bring heavy to torrential rains within the 500-km diameter of the typhoon.

Pagasa raised public storm Signal No. 3 in Masbate, Ticao Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, Romblon, and Oriental Mindoro.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Sorsogon, Albay, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Island, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Cebu including Cebu City, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island.

Meanwhile, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Catanduanes, Northern Palawan, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and rest of Cebu were placed under Signal No. 1.

Ruby made its first landfall in Dolores town in Eastern Samar Saturday evening and then made a second one hours later in Masbate.

Due to its slow movement, Ruby is now forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday instead of Wednesday.

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