Typhoon 'Kiko' further intensifies

Typhoon "Kiko" (international name "Chanthu") further intensified on Wednesday afternoon, Sep. 8, as it moved west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kiko was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving west-southward at 20 kph.

This was faster than PAGASA's earlier 11 a.m. bulletin of 155 kph maximum sustained winds near the center and 190 kph gustiness while moving west-southwestward at 20 kph.

According to PAGASA, Kiko is less likely to cause sea conditions in the next 24 hours over the country's coastal waters that maypose threats to safety of lives at sea, especially for those using small sea vessels.

"However, mariners are advised tocontinue monitoring for updates as rough sea conditions may begin affecting the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzonbeginning tomorrow as the typhoon closes in on Northern Luzon," it said.

PAGASA also said that due to the strength of Kiko, sea condition over the waters in the northern provinces of the country "will likely be risky for all types of seacrafts in the coming days."

The agency maintained that the weakening of Kiko "is possible on Sunday as it moves closer to Taiwan and interacts with its rugged terrain."