Bebinca to intensify into typhoon, enter PAR today

Severe Tropical Storm Bebinca will intensify into typhoon category as it enters the northeastern boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- ROMINA CABRERA

Bebinca, which will be named Ferdie once it enters PAR, was monitored 1,975 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 10 a.m.yesterday.

It is set to intensify into a typhoon and will exit late Friday night or Saturday morning, but will remain far from the Philippine landmass.

Bebinca was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is being enhanced by Bebinca and will bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Mindanao, western seaboard of Palawan including the Kalayaan Islands, western seaboard of Visayas, eastern seaboard of Palawan, western seaboard of Mindanao, and the southern and eastern seaboards of Visayas.

The trough of Bebinca will bring scattered rains over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate.

Isolated rains are also forecast over Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon and the rest of Bicol region.