MANILA (3rd Update, 11:10 a.m.) -- The state weather bureau already hoisted storm signal number 3 over five provinces in northern Luzon as "Basyang" (international codename: Conson) has developed into a typhoon.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Director Prisco Nilo said Basyang, which was spotted at 90 kilometers north of Virac, Catanduanes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, is now packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
The typhoon is moving towards Central Luzon at 22 kph.
Nilo said Basyang is now very close to Catanduanes and is expected to make landfall Tuesday evening or early Wednesday at Aurora-Northern Quezon.
With this, Pagasa hoisted signal number 3 over the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, including Polilo Island and Aurora.
Placed under signal number 2 are the provinces of Camarines Sur, other areas of Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Ifugao, Quirino, and Isabela.
Signal number 1 was raised over Albay, Marinduque, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga Apayao, Cagayan and Metro Manila.
Nilo said Metro Manila might be placed under public storm signal number 2 when Basyang makes landfall.
He said the rainfall intensity of Basyang is between 15 to 20 millimeters per hour, "which translates to a heavy rainfall."
Pagasa warned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under signals numbers 1, 2 and 3 against possible flashfloods and landslides as the affected areas will experience stormy weather.
Those living along the coast in areas under signal numbers 2 and 3 are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the typhoon, Pagasa added.
The weather bureau said Basyang is expected to be at 60 kilometers west of Baguio City on Wednesday morning and 380 kilometers west of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte on Thursday morning. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)