‘Queenie’ intensifies into tropical storm

Queenie (international name Sinlaku) intensified into a tropical storm while traversing the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) midday Friday, the state weather bureau said.

Queenie was last observed 220 kilometers north northwest of Puerto Princesa City, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It moved west northwest at 26 kph and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday evening.

Signal No. 1 remained in Palawan including the Calamian Group of Islands, Pagasa said.

Those areas under public storm signal were warned of possible flashfloods and landslides.

Queenie has so far left two persons killed and nine missing.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms are seen over Mindanao and Eastern and Central Visayas within 24 hours due to a low pressure area, Pagasa said.

The LPA was last spotted 770 kilometers east of Davao City.