PAGASA: 'Butchoy' effects to be felt late Friday or Saturday

While it entered Philippine territory before noon Thursday, Tropical Storm Butchoy (international code name Guchol) will not likely be felt until Friday or early Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

 

PAGASA senior forecaster said Butchoy will enhance the southwest monsoon and bring heavy rain to parts of Eastern Luzon, the Visayas and the Bicol Region.

 

"Bukas pa natin mararamdaman ang epekto ng bagyo, pero monsoon ang dala-dala," Robert Sawi, PAGASA senior forecaster, said at a media briefing, portions of which were aired on dzBB radio.

 

He said it may first affect Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region, then intensify further as it moves closer to Eastern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

 

Unless Butchoy slows down, Sawi said it may leave Philippine territory Monday or Tuesday next week.

 

PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory said that as of 10 a.m., Butchoy was estimated at 880 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

 

It was moving west northeast at 24 kph and is expected to be 560 km east of Virac, Catanduanes on Friday morning. By Saturday morning, it is expected to be 320 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 310 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.

 

No public storm warning signals had been raised as of Thursday.

 

PAGASA estimated Butchoy may bring 15 to 25 mm per hour of rainfall - considered heavy - within its 300-km diameter.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao due to big waves generated by the effect of the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Butchoy," it said. — RSJ, GMA News