PAGASA: Tropical Storm Meranti threatens Batanes

A tropical storm just outside Philippine territory remains a threat to residents and fishermen near Batanes in Northern Luzon, state weather forecasters said on Thursday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Meranti" was the active low-pressure area that is looming near Batanes. "This tropical disturbance will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Northern Luzon becoming widespread rains over the western section. The coastal waters will be rough and dangerous to small seacrafts. Residents over this area are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures," PAGASA said in its 11:00 a.m. advisory. "Meranti" would have been codenamed "Inday" had it become a cyclone in Philippine territory. PAGASA said as of 10:00 a.m., "Meranti" was over the South China sea, estimated at 300 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, and is moving north-northwest at 15 kph towards Southern China. –VVP, GMANews.TV