(Weather Update): Typhoon 'Hanna' maintains strength; continues to move off the Batanes area

Typhoon “Hanna” has maintained its strength as it continues to move at the outskirts of the Batanes area, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its weather bulletin update, PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 6), typhoon "Hanna" was located based on all available data at 715 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes (21.0°N, 128.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph. It is forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph.

PAGASA said Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) remains hoisted over Batanes province, including Itbayat, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

The weather agency said typhoon "Hanna" is forecast to be at 290 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday afternoon (Aug. 7) and is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) or at 460 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday afternoon (Aug. 8).

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 700-km diameter of the typhoon.

Fisherfolks are advised not to venture out over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboards of Palawan, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or "hangin habagat" is affecting the MIMAROPA region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), the Visayas and Mindanao.

For the next 24 hours forecast, PAGASA said monsoon rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced over Mindanao, the Visayas, MIMAROPA and the province of Masbate.

It added that cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and the rest of the Bicol region, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to west will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PNA)