By Kate Evangelista, Inquirer.net - Tropical storm “Juaning” (international name: Nock-ten) has exited Luzon and was over the West Philippine Sea by late Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
In its latest weather bulletin issued at 11 pm, Pagasa said that as of 10 pm, Juaning was seen 110 km southwest of Laoag City. It has maintained its strength of maximum sustained winds of 85kph near the center and gusts of up to 100 kph. Juaning is forecast to move west northwestward at 19 kph, Pagasa said.
ignal number 2 is still up over the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, La Union, Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya. Signal number 1 was still declared in Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga and Bataan.
Storm warning signals elsewhere, including Metro Manila, have been lowered.
Even as Juaning moves farther away, Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas under signals 1 and 2 to stay alert against possible flash floods and landslides. Those living along coastal areas are likewise cautioned to take necessary precaution against big waves or storm surges generated by the tropical storm.
Juaning was forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring widespread rains over the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas that may trigger flash floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, Juaning is forcast to be 485 km west of Laoag City and out of Philippine territory by Thursday morning, Pagasa said.
