Kalayaan islands: Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) continued to intensify as it moved over the West Philippine Sea, east-northeast of the Kalayaan Islands, the weather bureau said Wednesday. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) noted that the typhoon's center was estimated at 330 km east-northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan in Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, moving west-northwestward at 30 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tino's strong to typhoon-force winds extended outward up to 560 km from the center. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remained hoisted over the Kalayaan Islands, where gale-force winds are expected within 24 hours, bringing minor to moderate threats to life and property.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is up over Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands) and the rest of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands). These areas may experience strong winds within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats. PAGASA warned that heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding may still affect areas outside the direct path of the typhoon.
The agency said the outer rainbands of Tino, combined with the weakening northeast monsoon, will bring occasional gusty winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Antique. A storm surge of 1 meter to 2 meters is possible within the next 24 hours along low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Palawan, according to Storm Surge Warning No. 13 issued earlier Wednesday.
A gale warning remained in effect over the seaboards of the Kalayaan Islands, where seas could reach up to 5 meters. Sea travel is considered risky for all types of vessels. PAGASA also warned of rough to very rough seas (3 meters to 4 meters) along the western seaboards of Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique, and moderate seas (up to 2.5 meters) in nearby coastal waters. Mariners of small seacraft are advised to remain in port or avoid sea travel altogether.
Based on the latest forecast track, Tino will continue to move west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The typhoon may re-intensify within the next 12 hours and could reach its peak strength while traversing the open waters of the West Philippine Sea.
