'Florita' intensifies; Signal No. 3 over Batanes, Calayan Is.

Tropical storm Florita (international codename: Bilis) on Wednesday intensified its strength as more provinces in Luzon were placed under storm signal warnings. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Storm Signal No. 3 over the Batanes group of islands and Calayan group of islands. Signal No. 2, meanwhile, was hoisted over the rest of Cagayan Apayao, Ilocos Norte and Signal No. 1 was in effect over Isabela, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, and La Union. The weather bureau said that as of 10 a.m., the center of the storm was located 350 kms east northeast of Basco, Batanes moving west northwest at 19 kph. Florita packed maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph. The storm's center is expected to be located 280 kms north of Basco, Batanes or off the East coast of Taiwan by Thurday morning, 590 kms northwest of Basco, Batanes or in the vicinity of Southeast China by Friday morning, and 920 kms northwest of Basco, Batanes or 330 kms North of Hong Kong by Saturday morning. State weather forecasters said the disturbance will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which may bring moderate to heavy rains with occasional gusty winds over Luzon and the western sections of Visayas. Those residing in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes and riverbanks are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Residents in areas under storm warning signals were advised to seek higher grounds due to big waves generated by the storm. Fishing boats and other small seacraft were advised not to venture out into the sea while bigger seacraft were alerted against moderate to high waves. The Coast Guard on Wednesday prohibited all light craft affected by the weather disturbance to desist from traveling into the sea.-GMANews.TV