By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the further intensification of Typhoon Tino as it continues to move away from the Kalayaan Group of Islands over the West Philippine Sea, according to the agency’s 5:00 p.m. bulletin.
Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) was last located 330 km east-northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, as it moves west-northwestward at 30 kph.
With the storm moving further from the Philippine landmass, wind signals have been lifted in most areas of the country. However, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over Kalayaan Islands, while Signal No. 1 is in effect over Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands) and the rest of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands).
A gale warning prevails over the seaboards of Kalayaan Islands, with up to five-meter-high waves expected in these coastal areas. Waves between 3.5-4 meters in height are also expected over the western seaboards of northern and central mainland Palawan.
The state weather bureau notes that Typhoon Tino may continue to re-intensify in the next 12 hours and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
PAGASA, meanwhile, continues to monitor a Tropical Depression that was last spotted in the Pacific Ocean off the coastal waters of Guam.
As of 2:00 p.m., the weather system was located 1,870 km east of northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, as it remains in an almost stationary position.
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