'Gorio' further intensifies

Tropical Storm Gorio intensifies as it continues to move in north northwest direction, PAGASA reported in its early morning forecast.

"Gorio" was sighted 595 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 625 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center from 80 kph late Wednesday evening with gustiness of 105 kph up from 95 kph.

The storm is forecast to move north northwest at 13 kph.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon will be affecting Luzon and Western Visayas.

The state weather bureau warned residents of Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan that the monsoon rains may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

In the Visayas and the regions of Cagayan Valley, Bicol and the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon, residents will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.

Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Classes have been canceled in several areas on Thursday as the storm continues to affect the country.

Bad weather also forced the cancellation of several flights as well as the suspension of the Pasig River Ferry services.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Moderate to occasionally strong winds coming from the southwest to west over the rest of the country with moderate to occasionally rough seas. —BAP/KG/KVD/RSJ, GMA News