MANILA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine state weather bureau on Monday forecast Typhoon Doksuri will continue intensifying and may reach super typhoon by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Doksuri "is forecast to become a very strong typhoon," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its latest bulletin. Doksuri is the fifth cyclone to enter the Philippines this year.
As of 5:00 p.m. local time, Doksuri was spotted some 500 km east of Baler, in Aurora province on main Luzon island. It was blowing north-northwestward at 10 km per hour, packing 155 km per hour winds and gusts of up to 190 km per hour, said the weather bureau.
The bureau issued warning signals to several areas across the country, including Metro Manila, due to the threat of flooding and rain-induced landslides.
The Philippine Coast Guard said over 6,600 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers are stranded in Luzon and the central Philippines due to the severe weather. At least 49 vessels, 1,327 rolling cargo vessels, and 61 small boats are stranded in ports.
A weakening trend may begin by Wednesday afternoon, the bureau added. ■
