Storm signals lowered as 'Quiel' moves away from PH

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – The state weather bureau lowered public storm signals across Luzon Saturday evening, as Typhoon “Quiel” continues to move farther away from the country.

The provinces of Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales are still under signal number 2.

Under signal number 1 are Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

The storm signal warning in Metro Manila has been lifted.

Although Quiel is already over the West Philippine Sea, it would still bring rains from the southwest monsoon, said PAGASA.

PAGASA also warned residents in northern and central Luzon of the possibility of storm surges.

“Although nasa West Philippine Sea na ang bagyo, nandoon pa din ang panganib ng storm surge kasi umiikot pa din ang bagyo. Kaya sa Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales at Bataan ay dapat mag-monitor pa din ng possible storm surges,” said PAGASA officer-in-chief and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul.

Quiel made landfall on Dinapigue, Isabela at 9 a.m. Saturday. It is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday morning.

“By Sunday, it will be over for northern Luzon but it will just start for central Luzon and the National Capital Region because the southwest monsoon will be sucked in by the typhoon,” said Yumul.
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