Vinta has intensified into a typhoon as it headed outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday.
“Vinta” (international name: Tembin) has intensified into a typhoon as it moved to leave the Philippine territory a day before the largely Catholic Philippines celebrates Christmas, the state weather bureau said.
Located 355 kilometers south-southeast of Pag-asa Island in Palawan, “Vinta” packs maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 145 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over southern Palawan.
“Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Palawan,” Pagasa said.
The typhoon, which unleashed flash floods that swept away people and houses and set off landslides, continues to move west at a speed of 25 kph.
It reportedly left more than 120 people dead and 160 others missing in Visayas and Mindanao.
“Vinta” is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility until 8 a.m. Sunday, Pagasa said.
Pagasa maintained its advise against sea travel over the western seaboard of Palawan. /kga/dam
