‘Quedan’ intensifies; rains expected over eastern Luzon

FILE PHOTO/ PAGASA (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Tropical Cyclone Quedan (international name Saola) has strengthened into a severe tropical storm as it moves over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Quedan” was last spotted 1,155 km. east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 90 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

The severe tropical storm is moving northwest at 21 kph.

PAGASA said its outer rain bands “will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the eastern part of Luzon”.

It also warned that sea travel would be dangerous over the seaboards of northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of central and southern Luzon.

“Quedan”’ is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday as it heads towards Japan. (PNA)