All storm signals lifted; TD Ruby to exit PAR Thursday

(Updated 11:37 a.m.) As Tropical Depression Ruby continues to move away from the Philippines, state weather agency PAGASA lifted all storm warning signals before noon Tuesday.

 

But PAGASA still warned fishermen and those using small seacraft against big waves in the seaboards of Luzon, due to the Northeast Monsoon.

 

"'Yung amihan nakakaapekto sa atin sa Metro Manila ... Ang seaboards ng Luzon maalon dahil sa amihan," PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said at a media briefing, parts of which were aired on radio dzBB.

 

He also said Ruby and the Northeast Monsoon will cause rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Luzon.

 

Still, he said Metro Manila and nearby provinces can expect a gradual improvement of the weather starting Wednesday.

 

"Thursday early morning nasa labas na ng Philippine Area of Responsibility ang sentro ni Ruby... Bukas umpisang mag-improve ang weather," he added.

Over 2 million people affected

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday said the number of people affected by Ruby (Hagupit) had breached the two-million mark while damage breached the P1-billion mark.

More than 1,000 people were still stranded in various ports as of Tuesday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The death toll from Ruby rose to 27 on Tuesday, the Red Cross said.

However, on Tuesday the NDRRMC confirmed only three fatalities and said it is still validating eight other deaths.

Previously a super typhoon, Ruby was downgraded into a tropical storm on Monday, then a tropical depression on Tuesday.

Ruby moving away

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, PAGASA said Ruby was estimated at 135 km west-northwest of Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro, with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center.

 

It said Ruby is forecast to move west at 13 kph and is expected to be 450 km west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro Wednesday morning.

 

By Thursday morning, it is expected to be 765 km west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or outside the PAR.

 

On Friday morning, it is expected to be 1,010 km west-southwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

 

PAGASA said Ruby may have rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 200-km diameter. — Joel Locsin/TJD/KG, GMA News