Typhoon “Kammuri” continued to gather strength ahead of its expected entry into the country this weekend but the State weather bureau said it still has a slim chance of developing into a super typhoon.
As of yesterday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Kammuri is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility and has no direct effect on the country for now.
Kammuri was last spotted 1,470 kilometers east of Southern Luzon and now packs maximum wind strength of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph while moving slowly northwest.
The typhoon is expected to enter the PAR between tonight and tomorrow morning and will be given a local name “Tisoy,” the 20th tropical cyclone to to enter the country this year.
Following Kammuri’s anticipated entry, PAGASA weather specialist Chris Perez said tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 may be raised over the eastern portion of the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas tomorrow. More areas will be placed under storm warning signals once Kammuri moves closer to the landmass, Perez added.
“We are looking up to tropical cyclone wind signal Nos. 3 and 4 as the highest during the course of this particular tropical cyclone,” Perez said.
The tropical cyclone threatens to bring heavy rains and thunderstorms beginning Monday over large swathes of the country, including venues of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, as well as over Bicol region and Samar provinces.
Strong winds and heavy to intense rains may pour over Central Luzon, Bicol region, Southern Luzon, and Metro Manila from Tuesday to Wednesday, PAGASA added.
While Kammuri’s strength is expected to intensify throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said it is still less likely to develop into a super typhoon as of now but the possibility is not being ruled out. (Alexandria San Juan)
