MANILA – Typhoon “Tisoy” (international name: Kammuri) has gradually weakened after making several landfalls in southern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday.
The typhoon first made a landfall on Monday evening in Gubat, Sorsogon, followed by another land hit in San Pascual, Burias Island early Tuesday, and in Torrijos, Marinduque at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a press conference that Tisoy is now heading to the Mindoro provinces, where it is set to hit land, moving west at 25 kilometers per hour (kph).
Tisoy is expected to pass south of Metro Manila and reach 615 kms west of Subic, Zambales on Thursday morning to leave the Philippine area of responsibility as a severe tropical storm.
The eye of the typhoon was last seen 55 kilometers east of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, packing maximum winds of 150 kilometer per hour and gusts of up to 205 kilometer per hours.
Storm surges of up to three meters may hit coastal areas in Batangas, Marinduque, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and Cavite, Estareja said.
Overnight, Tisoy battered various provinces in Luzon and Visayas. Houses were damaged, trees fell, and cellphone signals were down in some areas. As part of safety measures, classes for Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled in affected areas.
Airport authorities also announced the cancellation of some flights for Tuesday and Wednesday, due to bad weather. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport suspended its operations until 11 p.m. last night.
Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels in Metro Manila beginning Tuesday noon due to bad weather brought by Typhoon Tisoy.
Some of the games of the 30th Southeast Asian Games were also postponed./PN
