MANILA — Hanna (international name: Haikui) has become a typhoon on Friday, according to state meteorologists.
In its 11 a.m. advisory, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Hanna intensified into a typhoon at 8 a.m.
The center of the storm is located 785 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) with gustiness of 150 kph.
Pagasa said Hanna is forecast to move generally west-northwestward and will intensify before making landfall in Taiwan.
“Hanna is forecast to reach its peak intensity tomorrow prior to its close approach or landfall over northern Taiwan,” Pagasa said.
“Rapid weakening will then ensure following its landfall over mainland China on Sunday,” it added.
The typhoon is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday morning. (John Eric Mendoza © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
