The Philippine Online Chronicles

While Typhoon Urduja continues to bring heavy rains to Visayas and Mindanao, another typhoon – believed to be much stronger – is brewing south, according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Athmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) tracked an incoming weather disturbance which may again hit Visayas and Mindanao provinces in the next three days.

The new storm, with the international code name “Nida” will be called “Vinta” once it hits the Philippine area of responsibility.

“Nida” has sustained maximum winds of 55 knots (102 kph) near the center and a gustiness of 80 knots (148 kph), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency weather bulletin. In the next 24 hours, however, its winds are expected to intensify up to 70 knots (130 kph).

“This is far bigger than Urduja,” said Pagasa weather forecaster Buddy Javier on gmanews.tv.

Meanwhile, Pagasa spotted Urduja heading eastward – 70 kilometers east of Surigao City with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. The weather bureau said the typhoon would continue to dump rains in Visayas and Mindanao until this Friday.

Public storm signal number 1 has been raised in six provinces, namely: Southern Leyte, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Dinagat Island and Siargao Island. Residents living near mountain slopes and low-lying areas are advised to take precaution against possible landslides and flashfloods.

In a related news, the National Disaster Coordinating Council reported more than 2,700 passengers have been stranded in different areas of Visayas and Mindanao as well as in Southern Luzon due to heavy rains and floods brought in by Typhoon Urduja.

A landslide was also reported to have occurred in Baranggay Guintoylan in Liloan, Southern Leyte at 10:00 a.m. yesterday. The NDCC confirmed there were no casualties from the said incident.

In Cebu, the Coast Guard said a total of 44 vessels and motorized bancas were bared from leaving ports after they have been alerted of the impending typhoon, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

For a copy of the Pagasa weather bulletin, click here.