56 residents evacuated as Betty brings strong winds, waves to Batanes

The number of evacuees in Batanes has increased from 40 to 56 as strong winds and waves hit the province amid the impact of Typhoon Betty on Wednesday.

Of the total number of evacuees, 26 were staying in evacuation centers while 30 were taking shelter in other places, according to Jonathan Andal's report on Unang Balita.

While there was hardly any rainfall in the province as of Wednesday morning, there were still strong winds and waves. Batanes is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, according to state weather bureau PAGASA's latest bulletin.

The Batanes government is set to conduct an assessment on the possible damage caused by Betty to the province. So far, there is no casualty reported.

The government and private offices, meanwhile, have resumed their operations on Wednesday.

According to the provincial government, the resumption of classes would depend on the discretion of each municipal government.

According to PAGASA's latest bulletin, Betty was located at 320 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 a.m. on Wednesday packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa.

A former super typhoon with an international name of Mawar, Betty is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday evening or Friday morning. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News