Signal No. 4 raised over 5 Visayas areas

MANILA, Philippines—Storm signal No. 4 was raised in parts of Eastern Visayas on Thursday as supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name Haiyan) accelerated and got nearer to land.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the following areas were placed under storm signals:

Yolanda is considered the strongest typhoon in the world for 2013, according to US meteorologists.

It was last observed 543 kilometers southeast of Guiuan in Eastern Samar on Thursday afternoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 250 kph.

Those areas under storm signals were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides Storm surges may also reach up to seven-meter height in areas under Signal No. 2 and 3.

Yolanda is seen to make landfall by Friday morning. After hitting Guiuan or Abuyog, Leyte, it is expected to traverse the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, northern tip of Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Semirara Island, southern part of Mindoro, then Busuanga and will exit the Philippine landmass Friday night towards the West Philippine Sea.

Sea travel remained risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the astern seaboard of Central Luzon.

The typhoon will exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday evening if it maintains it speed. Its exit was originally forecast by Sunday morning.

Gradual improvement of weather will begin by Sunday, Pagasa said.