‘Bising’ now a typhoon, threatens Eastern Visayas and Bicol

CNN – Published Apr 16, 2021 7:42:30 AM

Metro Manila — Severe Tropical Storm Bising intensified into a typhoon, the state weather bureau said Friday, adding it may bring strong winds and heavy rains in the Eastern Visayas and Bicol starting this Sunday.

Bising became a typhoon at 8:00 a.m. and is seen to “steadily intensify” in the next three days, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

As of 3 p.m., its eye maintained maximum winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 160 kph. “Bising” was last seen 895 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, still moving in a westward direction at 15 kph.

“Bising is currently not directly causing severe weather over any portion of the country. It is likely that the winds and heavy rains associated with this tropical cyclone will begin affecting portions of Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region beginning on Sunday,” PAGASA said. It added the typhoon is “less likely” to hit any land.

Its closest approach to landmass will be on Sunday at 295 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, before recurving the following day, PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said in a 5 p.m. update.

The weather bureau said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be up in some localities in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar by Friday night.

It also said the typhoon will bring rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. It advised those with small seacraft to exercise caution when venturing out into the stormy sea.

The weather disturbance entered the country’s monitoring area at 6:20 a.m., PAGASA said in an earlier advisory.

“At 6:20 a.m. today, Severe Tropical Storm “SURIGAE” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was assigned the domestic name “BISING,” PAGASA tweeted.