Typhoon “Wutip” is expected to further weaken off the Pacific coast and poses no serious threat to the Philippines.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration estimated the location of Wutip at 1,985 kilometers east of Central Luzon or still outside the country’s area of responsibility around noon yesterday.
It has further weakened with maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 195 kph and moving north slowly.
Should it maintain its current movement, Wutip will be inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility today and will be locally named “Betty,” the first tropical cyclone this month and second this year.
PAGASA said the weather disturbance is not seen to make landfall over any part of the country as it may only stay off shore.
It is likely to continue weakening off the Pacific Ocean. PAGASA said Wutip may weaken into a tropical storm and is expected to be 1,565 kms east of Central Luzon today.
It may be downgraded to a tropical depression and is expected at to be 1,245 kms east of Aparri, Cagayan tomorrow. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)