Quiel weakens slightly as it crosses N. Luzon, says Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Quiel” (international name: Nalgae) slightly weakened after it crossed Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 4 p.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said that Quiel was seen 40 kilometers west- northwest of Baguio City and packed maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts reaching up to 185 kph.

The typhoon maintained its speed and direction and was still moving at 26 kph westward.

Signal No. 3 remains up over the provinces of Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan while signal number 2 remains raised over Ilocos Norte, Abra¸Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Northern Quezon including Polillo Island, Rizal, Cavite, Bataan and Bulacan remains under Signal No. 1.

Signal warnings elsewhere were lowered, Pagasa said.

Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas where there are signal warnings were told to stay alert against possible flashfloods and landslides while those living in coastal areas were warned against storm surges generated by the typhoon.

Quiel is also forecast to enhance the southwest-west monsoon and bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon, the state-run weather bureau said.