“BEBINCA” intensified into a severe tropical storm and may further strengthen into a typhoon before entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) tonight, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Bebinca was some 1,975 km east of Central Luzon or about 1,930 km east of northern Luzon. It was moving west northwestward at 25 kph. packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
Bebinca intensified into a tropical storm, from tropical depression, on Wednesday morning, and to a severe tropical storm on Wednesday night.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said it is possible Bebinca will intensify into a typhoon before entering PAR tonight.
It will be named “Ferdie” if it enters the PAR.
Estareja said Bebinca will track the northwest direction until it exits the PAR on Saturday morning.
He said Bebinca is already enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing rains to many parts of the country. “After exiting, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, so rains will continue in many parts of our country, including northern and central Luzon and Metro Manila,” said Estareja.
“It will remain far from landmass but the threat of flooding and (rain-induced) landslides is there,” he added.
