‘Seniang’ maintains strength as it exits Philippines


INQ7.net
Last updated 06:35am (Mla time) 12/11/2006

Typhoon “Seniang” (international codename: Utor) maintained its strength while over Luzon Sea and continued on its way towards the South China Sea, the Philippine state weather bureau announced in its latest weather bulletin.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, the typhoon was located 220 kilometers west northwest of Coron, Palawan or 280 kms west northwest of Occidental Mindoro, the bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stated.

Its strength remained at 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph as it moved west northwest towards the South China Sea at 15 kph, PAGASA said.

Although public storm warning signals were lowered elsewhere, Public storm signal number 1, signifying winds between 30 and 60 kph, remains hoisted in Occidental Mindoro and Lubang Island in Luzon and the Calamian group of islands in the Visayas, the weather bulletin said.

The weather disturbance will continue to enhance the northeast monsoon which will bring moderate to heavy rains with occasional gusty winds over Luzon, PAGASA said.

Seniang left five people dead in the Visayas after pounding Panay Island Sunday and downing power lines that left Capiz, Aklan (including the resort island of Boracay), Samar, Leyte, Biliran and Bantayan Island without electricit