‘Queenie’ now in PH

Typhoon “Queenie” (international name: Kong-Rey) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Monday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

According to Dr. Landrico Dalida Jr., Pagasa’s Deputy Administrator for Operations and Services, Queenie entered PAR around 5 p.m.

Pagasa said Queenie packs maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 195 kphm as it moves in the northwest direction at 15 kph.

This was the 17th typhoon to enter the Philippines this year, Dalida said.

Pagasa senior weather specialist Jun Galang said Queenie will likely intensify while inside PAR and move closer to Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands by Thursday or Friday.

Pagasa said Queenie is expected to leave the country by Friday afternoon. /kga