Zambales, parts of Pangasinan under Signal No. 1 as Butchoy maintains strength

Zambales and the western portion of Pangasinan remained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Friday morning as Tropical Depression Butchoy maintained its strength while moving toward the West Philippine Sea.

According to PAGASA's 8 a.m. bulletin, areas in Pangasinan under TCWS No. 1 as of Friday morning were Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Alaminos City, Burgos, Dasol, Mabini, Sual, Labrador and Infanta.

TCWS No. 1 over Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and some municipalities in Pangasinan, meanwhile, has been lifted.

PAGASA said areas under TCWS No. 1, as well as the Visayas, Southern Luzon and the western portion of Mindanao, "may experience occasional gusts associated with the tropical depression and the Southwest Monsoon."

It also said moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 3.4 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

"Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea while larger sea vessels must take precaution against rough seas," PAGASA said.

In its rainfall outlook, PAGASA said Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, and Occidental Mindoro will experience moderate to heavy with at times intense rains.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, and the rest of Luzon.

"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," PAGASA warned.

Butchoy, the second cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, made two landfalls on Thursday afternoon, first over Polillo in Quezon on second over Infanta, also in Quezon.

As of 7 a.m. on Friday, the eye of the cyclone was at 50 km west of Iba, Zambales (15.4°N, 119.5°E). It packed maximum winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h as it moved west northwest at 15 km/h.

Butchoy is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning. --KBK, GMA News