Storm signal lifted as Butchoy moves away from Luzon

PAGASA on Friday lifted storm signal even as Tropical Depression Butchoy slightly intensified as it moved away from Luzon, according to its latest bulletin.

Butchoy is seen to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) either on Friday night or Saturday morning, PAGASA said. 

Overnight rains caused by Butchoy had resulted in floods in many areas. In Tagcawayan, Quezon, knee-deep water reached houses and prompted some residents to evacuate.

Some streets in Cebu City were likewise flooded, making commuting difficult for some residents, according to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita.

In Oriental Mindoro, residents had to contend not only with rains but also with strong winds.

Butchoy was also felt strongly in Naga City in Camarines Sur, according to GMA News stringer Boy Reyta on Unang Balita.

Butchoy's location

Butchoy's center was estimated based on all available data at 140 km west-northwest of Iba, Zambales or 165 km west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan (15.9°N, 118.8°E). It had maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, and is moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.

Despite the lifting of storm signal, occasional gusts associated with the southwest monsoon may still be experienced over most of Northern and Central Luzon and the western section of Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, and Occidental Mindoro are expected to experience moderate to heavy rains while Metro Manila, Western Visayas, and the rest of Luzon will experience light to moderate with at times heavy monsoon rains.

PAGASA warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. --Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News