Typhoon Pablo may return to Philippines - PAGASA [1]

ABS-CBNnews.com | 12/06/2012 11:30 PM

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MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Pablo, which has killed at least 477 people and left hundreds others missing, may return to the Philippines, state weather bureau PAGASA warned Thursday.

A high-pressure area is preventing the typhoon from continuing on a northwest track in the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said.

This may result in Pablo making a U-turn and swinging back into the Philippine area of responsibility, although such a scenario is slim, it added.

The typhoon also won't make landfall again in the country if it does head northeastward.

It was spotted 410 km west of Coron, Palawan as of 10 p.m. Thursday.

Pablo has maintained its strength as it continues to move away from the country, PAGASA said.

The typhoon is now packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

It is moving north-northwest slowly and could be 600 km west of Metro Manila by Friday night.

All public storm warning signals have been lowered.

However, PAGASA warned that fishing boats and other sea vessels are still advised not to venture out into the seaboards of northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon. - with a report from Jenny Reyes, ABS-CBN News