'Butchoy' enters Philippines

MANILA (3rd Update, 11:30 a.m.) – Tropical Storm "Butchoy" (international codename: Guchol) has entered the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday morning, the state weather bureau said.

In a press briefing, senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi said the storm entered the country's waters at 9 a.m. packing maximum winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

The weather system is moving west northwest at 24 kph.

As of 10 a.m., the center of "Butchoy" was estimated based on satellite, surface data at 880 kilometers (km) east of Guiuan, Eatern Samar.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm won't make landfall but it would intensify into a typhoon, enhancing the southwest monsoon.

Pagasa said "Butchoy" will be felt late Friday or early Saturday over eastern Visayas and Bicol Region. It is set to intensify as it moves closer to land.

"The new storm will be in the country for four to five days. If there is no change in its speed and direction, the cloud mass will be concentrated over northern Luzon. No indication of landfall whatsoever," senior weather forecaster Mario Palafox earlier told Sun.Star.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 15–25 millimeters per hour (heavy) within the 300-kilometer diameter of the storm.

Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), has advised local disaster risk reduction managers to prepare and take precautionary measures.

NDRRMC urged fishermen in the eastern seaboard not to venture out to sea and urged the local government units to prepare for rains and floods.

"Butchoy" is expected at 320 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by Saturday and 310 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan by Sunday morning.

Pagasa said the weather system will exit the country by Tuesday. (Sunnex)