‘Ruby’ weakens to tropical depression; Metro Manila, 7 areas still under Signal No. 1

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) has weakened further and has been downgraded to a tropical depression as it headed toward Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro province to make its fifth landfall, the state weather bureau said Tuesday morning.

In its 5 a.m weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ruby was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) traveling westward at 13 kph.

Pagasa expected Ruby to make landfall on Lubang Island between 5 to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The state weather bureau said that at its current pace, Ruby should exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening.

Public storm Signal Number 1 was still hoisted over Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Lubang Island.

Rains with gusty winds will lash Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Mindoro including Lubang island. While the rest of Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the Bicol region will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms, Pagasa forecasted.

In its latest report, the Philippine Red Cross said that at least 25 people had died amid Ruby’s wrath.

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