'Chedeng' on its way out of Philippines

MANILA (Updated 9:53 a.m.) -- Typhoon Chedeng (international codename: Songda) has gained more strength Friday morning, as it continues to tread a north northwestward direction toward Japan.

In its 5 a.m. Friday bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Chedeng packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Chedeng was spotted 250 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City and is moving north northwest at 19 kph, Pagasa added.

Placed under storm signal no. 2 is Batanes Group of Islands.

Areas under public storm signal no. 1 are Cagayan, Calayan Group, Babuyan Group, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Northern Quezon, and Polillo Island.

Pagasa said Chedeng will be 190 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning and at 170 kilometers southwest of Okinawa, Japan by Sunday morning.

Robert S. Sawi, Pagasa Weather Division officer-in-charge, said Thursday the previously reported high-pressure area above Chedeng that was blocking its path has dissolved by itself so it is now free to go by its projected track.

Sawi said although the typhoon is not likely to hit land, it would enhance the southwest monsoon that would trigger the onset of rainy season.

"It has a big radius, so it can affect many areas even if it does not make landfall," said forecaster Mario Palafox.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone.

Chedeng is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao including Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, disaster officials recorded one fatality due to Chedeng.

In a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the fatality, idetifed as Jaime Torillos, 70, of Barangay Biong, Gigmoto town in Catanduanes province, died on May 25 due to drowning. (Sunnex)