Palawan: Typhoon Tino has slightly intensified as it continues to move away from northern Palawan and over the West Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Wednesday. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) noted that the center of Tino’s eye was estimated at 190 km west of Coron, Palawan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 180 km/h, moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h. Strong to typhoon-force winds extended outward up to 300 kilometers from the center.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 is currently hoisted over the northernmost portion of Palawan, particularly in El Nido, where typhoon-force winds ranging from 118 to 184 km/h pose a significant to severe threat to life and property. Signal No. 3 was raised over the northern part of Palawan, including San Vicente, Taytay, and the Calamian Islands, which may experience storm-force winds of 89 to 117 km/h that could bring moderate to significant damage.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 remained in effect over the eastern and central portions of Palawan, covering Puerto Princesa City, Roxas, Dumaran, Araceli, and the Kalayaan Islands, where gale-force winds may result in minor to moderate impacts. Signal No. 1 is also in place over Occidental Mindoro, including the Lubang Islands, the southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bongabong, Roxas, Bulalacao, and Mansalay), as well as the southern part of Palawan (Aborlan, Quezon, Narra, and Sofronio Espa±ola), including the Cuyo Islands, where strong winds may cause minimal to minor threats to life and property.
PAGASA said heavy rains, severe winds, and possible storm surges are likely over Palawan and nearby areas. Low-lying and coastal communities in Palawan are under high risk of life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 meters within the next 24 hours. Strong to gale-force gusts may also be felt in several regions not under wind signals due to the combined effects of the Northeast Monsoon, the shear line, and Tino’s trough. These include Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
A gale warning is up over the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the seaboards of Western Visayas. Sea travel remains risky for all types of vessels due to very rough to rough seas, reaching up to 6 meters along the northern Palawan seaboards and 4.5 meters along Calamian and Kalayaan Islands. PAGASA said Tino will continue to move west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The typhoon may re-intensify within the next 12 hours and could reach its peak intensity while traversing the open sea.
