‘Vinta’ strengthens into typhoon as it moves to leave PH on Christmas eve

“Vinta” (international name: Tembin) has intensified into a typhoon as it moved to leave the Philippine territory a day before the largely Catholic country celebrates Christmas, the state weather bureau said.

Located 355 kilometers south-southeast of Pag-asa Island in Palawan, “Vinta” packs maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of of up to 145 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over southern Palawan.

“Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Palawan,” Pagasa said.

The typhoon, which unleashed flash floods that swept away people and houses and set off landslides, continues to move west at a speed of 25 kph.

It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility until 8 a.m. Sunday.

The weather bureau said sea travel over the western seaboard of Palawan remains risky.

“Vinta” reportedly left more than 120 people dead and 160 others missing in Visayas and Mindanao.      /kga/dam