Tropical storm Butchoy enters Phl

By Nephele Fabiola S. Kirong

Thursday 14th of June 2012

QUEZON CITY, June 14 (PIA) -- Tropical storm Guchol from the Caroline Island in the western Pacific Ocean has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the latest Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin reported.

Locally codenamed “Butchoy,” the eye of the storm was estimated 880 km East of Guiuan, Easter Samar at 10:00 a.m. today.

With maximum sustained winds of 850 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of 100 kph, Butchoy is expected to be at 560 km East of Virac, Catanduanes tomorrow morning.

By Saturday morning it is expected to be 320 km Northeast of Virac and by Sunday morning, it will be at 310 km Northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.

Heavy rainfall are expected in Davao City, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Saranggani and Surigao del Sur, said Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Ramos held a press conference this morning at the PAGASA weather forecasting center this morning.

Ramos said there is also possibility of heavy rains and floods in Samar, Leyte and some areas in the Bicol region.

He added that there will be updates on the release of water from Magat dam, which is nearing critical level.

Meanwhile, other dams in Luzon like Pantabangan dam were also prepared for the possibility of catching watcher from other dams and its effect on nearby provinces.

PAGASA’s next weather bulletin will be issued at 11:00 p.m. today, according to its official website. (NFK/PIA-Central)