By NG Seruela
Moderate to heavy rain bands with at times intense rains are expected in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region as Typhoon Bising “maintains its strength” over the Philippine Sea on Sunday (April 18).
According to the Severe Weather Bulletin no. 8 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11:00 a.m., Bising has maintained its “maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (kilometers per hour) near the center and gustiness of up to 265 km/h.” The typhoon moves northwestward at 20 km/h.
“Typhoon Bising will continue to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Bicol Region today and is likely to slow down considerably and begin turning more northward tonight or tomorrow early morning.”
The agency said that as of 10:00 a.m., the center of the eye of the typhoon was detected 375 kilometers (km.) east of Juban, Sorsogon, or 345 km. east of Virac, Catanduanes.
“The typhoon is forecast to maintain its strength today before gradually weakening throughout the remainder of the forecast period,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, PAGASA raised Signal No. 2 in Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar, while Signal No. 1 is raised in the eastern portion of Camarines Norte (San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud), Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands; Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and the northern portion of Cebu (Tabogon, Borbon, San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands; Dinagat Islands, Siargao Islands, and Bucas Grande Islands.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are expected in Bicol Region and Northern Samar on Monday (April 19). – jlo
