Typhoon Butchoy intensifies further, moves towards Taiwan

Typhoon Butchoy (International name: Nepartak) has intensified further and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, according to the latest Severe Weather Bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Atmospheric Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, Butchoy was spotted 465 kilometers East of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

The estimated amount of rainfall is from moderate to heavy within the 600 kilometer-diameter span of the typhoon.

Butchoy is expected to continue to move Northwest at 30 kph and by Thursday evening will be 245 kilometers North-Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

By Friday evening, the typhoon is expected to move 648 kilometers Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, which is outside PAR.

Meanwhile, tropical Cyclone warning signal is raised in Batanes, Calayan, and the Babuyan group of islands.

Fisherfolk are advised not to venture out over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions. The next bulletin will be issued by the state weather bureau at 5 a.m. on Thursday. — BAP, GMA News