Typhoon ‘Ferdie’ intensifies; new storm sighted

Typhoon “Ferdie” (international name “Meranti”) has intensified while continuously heading northwest at 22 kilometers per hour, prompting Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue a tropical cyclone warning Monday over parts of Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras. Another tropical depression off the Pacific Ocean or west of Guam may enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday. Should it enter the territory, it will be given a local name of “Gener,” the third tropical cyclone to enter the country’s vicinity this month and the seventh this year. Based on the latest data, PAGASA does not see the cyclone making landfall over any part of the country. Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, Apayao, and Batanes and Babuyan group of islands as moderate to heavy rains within 300 km of the typhoon are expected. PAGASA estimated the location of Ferdie at 850 kilometers (km) east of Tuguegarao [...]