Typhoon ‘Dodong’ weakens as it moves out of PH

MANILA, Philippines–Typhoon “Dodong” (international name: Noul) has weakened and was moving toward Balintang channel near Batanes, the state weather bureau said in its bulletin issued 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of the typhoon was located 100 kilometers northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, as of 10 p.m. Sunday.

It said the typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

Dodong was forecast to move northward at 16 kph. It is expected to be 240 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes on Monday evening and outside of the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday morning.

Public storm warning signal No. 3 was hoisted over northeastern Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan and Calayan group of islands, while the rest of Cagayan and Apayao were under signal No. 2.

Under signal No. 1 were Ilocos Norte, Abra and northern Isabela.

Signal 3 means winds of 121-170 kph is expected in at least 18 hours while under signal 2 winds of 61-120 kph is expected in at least 24 hours and signal No. 1 winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours.

Pagasa warned fishermen against venturing out over the eastern seaboard of central and southern Luzon. It added that storm surges of up to 1.5 meters were possible in Gonzaga, Cagayan.