MANILA -- Typhoon Rosita (international name Yutu) further weakened but continues to approach Northern Luzon on Monday, prompting the weather bureau to raise tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 3 in three areas.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Rosita" was last spotted at 410 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.
"Rosita" packs maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said Rosita, moving west southwest at 20 kph, is expected to make landfall over the southern Isabela-northern Aurora area early Tuesday and is likely to weaken further into a severe tropical storm.
Signal No. 3 has been raised over Isabela, Quirino and northern Aurora. These areas will experience stormy weather and winds of 120-171 kph within the next 18 hours.
Signal No. 2, meanwhile, is hoisted over Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, northern Quezon including Polillo Island, and southern Aurora. These areas will experience stormy weather and winds of 61-120 kph within the next 24 hours.
Areas under Signal No. 1 include southern Quezon, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Batanes and Babuyan group of Islands, Zambales, Rizal, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Cavite, and Camarines Norte. These areas will experience winds of 30-60 kph within the next 36 hours.
Estareja said "Rosita" will bring moderate to heavy rains over northern and central Luzon beginning Monday night.
Metro Manila, meanwhile, will experience light to moderate rains due to the typhoon.
He also cautioned residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and mountainous areas, to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
Coastal areas in Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union are warned against storm surges of up to three meters.
Rosita is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday evening. (PNA)
