Hanna intensifies, may develop into typhoon in 24 hours

Severe Tropical Storm Hanna has intensified as it decelerated moving westward over the Philippines Sea on Thursday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Hanna was located at 1,160 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 110 km per hour and gustiness of up to 135 km/h, and moving westward at 10 km/h.

PAGASA said Hanna may intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours while still inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

It is also seen to gradually intensify until late Saturday or early Sunday, when it is expected to reach its peak intensity, according to PAGASA.

The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), currently enhanced by Super Typhoon Saola (locally named Goring), is now also being slightly enhanced by Hanna and Tropical Storm Kirogi, which has been monitored outside PAR.

Due to this, PAGASA said occasional to monsoon rains are expected over the western portions of Luzon in the next three days. Forecast rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas, it added.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA said.

The enhanced Habagat will continue to bring gusty conditions on Thursday and Friday over Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.

PAGASA said a Gale Warning is in effect for most seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to Habagat.

“Disruption in civilian maritime activities is expected over these areas (e.g., suspension of sea travel) due to hazardous sea conditions,” PAGASA said.

Hanna is seen to accelerate west northwestward in the next 24 hours, then turn generally northwestward direction throughout the remaining forecast period.

It will remain far from the Philippine landmass and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday while approaching the Ryukyu Islands, PAGASA said.

Overnight rains have resulted in floods — some waist-deep — in Metro Manila and other areas on Thursday, prompting local government units to suspend classes in their respective jurisdiction.   —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News