‘Ferdie’ exits PAR, but rains to persist

Typhoon “Ferdie” (international name: Meranti) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon, but rains will prevail in different parts of the country, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes even as Ferdie exited PAR at 12:30 p.m. Storm warning signals elsewhere have been lifted.

BACKSTORY: Typhoon Ferdie to exit PAR Wednesday; storm signals lowered

The typhoon, moving northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), was located at 315 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes. It has maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

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Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains are expected within the typhoon’s 600-km diameter.

Pagasa said thunderstorm is affecting Metro Manila (Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, Makati, Pasig), Zambales, portions of Rizal, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Batangas which may persist within three hours.

Thunderstorm is also expected over Laguna, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Quezon and other areas of Metro Manila within the next three hours, it added.

Typhoon Gener (international name: Malakas), which was last located at 1,225 km east of Baler, Aurora, is not expected to make landfall in the country. IDL