Signal warnings lowered as ‘Pedring’ exits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—The state-run weather bureau lowered signal warnings over several provinces as Typhoon “Pedring” (international name: Nesat) continued to move away from the country.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Pedring was seen 200 kilometers west northwest of Baguio City and was still packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.

Pedring was forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph.

According to Pagasa, Signal No. 2 was still up over La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Benguet  and Ilocos Sur.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains raised over Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Quirino, Bulacan and Metro Manila.

Storm signal warnings elsewhere were lowered, Pagasa said.

Nevertheless, residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signal warnings were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living along coastal areas were warned against storm surges caused by Pedring.

The typhoon was still expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon and Western Visayas, Pagasa said.

By Wednesday evening, Pedring was forecast to be 590 km northwest of Baguio City.