Typhoon brewing, may hit next week

MANILA, Philippines–A tropical cyclone that could strengthen into a typhoon will begin to approach Mindanao next week, the weather bureau warned on Thursday.

Internationally named “Bavi,” the cyclone developed over the Pacific Ocean late on Wednesday and intensified shortly into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of over 100 kilometers per hour.

If it keeps its present speed and track, the cyclone will enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“Most probably it will reach typhoon category when it enters the PAR,” Pagasa weather forecaster Jaime Bordales said.

As of Thursday, the eye of the tropical storm was over the Pacific Ocean about 4,400 kilometers east of Mindanao.

Once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility, the cyclone will be named “Betty.”

Bordales said it was not unusual for the country to experience a tropical cyclone in March, the start of the dry season in the western parts of the country.

He said the country averages one to two cyclones in March.

Bordales said the bureau will be able to give a more accurate forecast as the cyclone nears.