In the middle of a dry season, a typhoon is poised to enter the Philippines.
A tropical storm, to be named “Bising” (international name Surigae) once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) tomorrow, was spotted off Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said that according to latest data, there is a big chance it will recurve and will not hit land. The state weather agency estimates that the closest it will be to land is at 500 kilometers east of Sorsogon.
The storm was spotted 1,165 kilometers east of Mindanao, with winds reaching 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Surigae’s general direction was northwest with a speed of 10 kph.
PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas said Surigae gathered some strength as it slowly moved towards the Philippine Sea.
There may be light to moderate rains over the eastern portions of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, which may happen this weekend, Rojas added.
Once it enters the PAR, “Bising” will be the second storm to hit the country this year after tropical cyclone “Auring” back in February.