‘Hanna’ weakens, but monsoon rains persist

The track of Typhoon ‘Hanna’ (Soudelor). PHOTO FROM PAGASA

Typhoon “Hanna” (international name: Soudelor) weakened on Saturday morning as it crossed over to Taiwan, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph.

Hanna, which is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday afternoon, continued to move northwest at 20 kph.

READ: 60,000 people affected by monsoon rains enhanced by ‘Hanna’ | Typhoon ‘Hanna’ maintains strength, to exit PH Saturday

Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over Batanes including Itbayat, while Signal No. 1 was raised over Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.

Despite Hanna’s weakening, Pagasa said monsoon rains is affecting the western section of Northern and Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas. It also warned fishermen not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon, Panay Island, and Eastern Visayas.

Pagasa added that as of 12:25 p.m., light to moderate with occasionally heavy rains are affecting Metro Manila, Batangas, portions of Zambales, Bataan and Bulacan which may persist for one to two hours. Yuji Gonzales/IDL