Typhoon ‘Ruby’ maintains strength, 6 areas in Luzon under Signal no. 3

MANILA — At least six areas in Luzon are still under public storm warning signal no. 3 as typhoon Ruby has maintained its strength and is now over the vicinity of Aroroy, Masbate.

In its 5 p.m. weather update, PAGASA said the areas under Signal No. 3 (winds of 101-185 kilometers per hour expected in at least 18 hours) are the provinces of Masbate, Ticao Island, Burias Island, Marinduque, Romblon, and Oriental Mindoro in Luzon.

”These areas will have stormy weather. Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living along the coast are warned on the occurrence of big waves associated with Storm Surge which may reach up to 3 meters,” it warned.

PAGASA said that 38 areas in Luzon and Visayas are still under signals no. 2 and no.1.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 (Winds of 61-100 kilometers per hour expected in at least 24 hours) are Sorsogon, Albay, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Island, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur in Luzon; Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Cebu including Cebu City, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island in Visayas.

”These areas will have stormy weather. Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living along the coast are warned against the occurrence of big waves associated with Storm Surge which may reach up to 2 meters,” it warned.

On the other hand, Public storm warning Signal No. 1 (Winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Catanduanes, and Northern Palawan in Luzon; Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Rest of Cebu in the Visayas.

”These areas will have occasional rains with occasional gusty winds,” it warned.

As of 4 p.m., the eye of Typhoon “Ruby” was located based on all available data at 20 km West of Masbate City, Masbate or in the vicinity of Aroroy, Masbate (12.4°N, 123.4°E) maintained with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

Typhoon Ruby continues to move west northwest but decelarated its speed from 15 kph on Sunday morning to 10 kph in the afternoon.

With maintained speed and movement, typhoon Ruby is expected to make third landfall at Sibuyan Island in Romblon between 2-4 a.m. on Monday and it will be associated with strong winds, storm surge and heavy to torrential rainfall.

The estimated rainfall amount is from 10 – >30 mm per hour (heavy – torrential) within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.

The effects of “Ruby” and the Northeast Monsoon will cause rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas and over the northern seaboard of Mindanao.

Fisherfolk and those using small sea craft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards.

Typhoon Ruby is forecast to be at 60 km East of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or at 160 km South of Science Garden, Quezon City by Monday afternoon.

By Tuesday afternoon it is expected to be at 170 km Southwest of Science Garden, Quezon City and by Wednesday afternoon it is expected to be at 400 km West of Science Garden, Quezon City.

By Thursday morning, it is expected to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).