Super Typhoon Betty has slightly weakened, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, but more areas in Northern Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 1.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, northern and central portions of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Danglas, La Paz, Dolores, Tayum, Bucay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney), Kalinga, eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis, Bontoc), eastern and central portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Lagawe, Lamut, Kiangan, Asipulo), northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao), Quirino, and northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Solano, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Bayombong, Ambaguio).
Strong breeze to near gale strength winds will be experienced in the affected areas.
Strong winds will cause rough to very rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao.
PAGASA advised fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture into the sea, and larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
Betty, last tracked 1,035 km. east of Central Luzon, is forecast to remain as a super typhoon over the weekend and possibly maintain its strength for the next 36 to 48 hours.
Short-term intensification is not ruled out, especially in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Flight cancellation
In anticipation of the effects of Betty, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Saturday said it canceled some flights on May 29 to 31:
May 29
PR2932/2933 Manila – Basco – Manila
PR2198/2199 Manila – Laoag – Manila
PR2230/2231 Cebu – Baguio – Cebu
May 30
PR2196/2197 Manila – Laoag – Manila
PR2198/2199 Manila – Laoag – Manila
PR2932/2933 Manila – Basco – Manila
May 31
PR2932/2933 Manila – Basco – Manila
PR2936/2937 Manila – Basco – Manila
Affected passengers may rebook their tickets or reroute to another flight.
They could also file for refunds without penalties, excluding ticketing service charge, or convert the ticket to travel credits equivalent to unused base fare, PAL said in an advisory. (PNA)
Photo credit: Facebook/PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH