The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Coordinating Council (NDRRMC) advised the public to be on guard against possible flooding and landslides due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Butchoy (international name: Gutchol).

"Butchoy" entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility but the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services has not issued Public Storm Signal as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

As of 11 a.m. yesterday, an advisory of the NDRRMC showed that the center of Typhoon Butchoy is located 880 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

It has maximum winds of 85 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

"Butchoy" is moving northeast at 24 kph.

By this morning, the typhoon is expected to be 560 km East of Virac, Catanduanes, Saturday morning, 320 km Northeast of Virac and Sunday morning, 310 km Northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.

Rene Pamil said the tropical storm is not likely to make landfall just like Ambo, but will bring rain to Visayas and Luzon.

With the coming of Butchoy, Pamil said the shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) spotted in Northern Mindanao and enhanced southwest monsoon affecting Luzon have dissipated.

However, he said the southwest monsoon continues to bring rain all over Luzon, including Metro Manila.

In its advisory, PAGASA said Luzon will likely experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western section which may trigger flash floods and landslides.

While western section of Visayas and of Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, it added.

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail over the entire country, with seas becoming moderate to rough.

PAGASA also warned of strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of the southwest monsoon which may affect the seaboards of Luzon and the western seaboard of Visayas.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

BLUE ALERT

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC is now on blue alert as the tropical storm enters the country.

Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director, said a blue alert requires half of the agency's personnel to be ready for contingencies.

Ramos said residents of northern Mindanao have been warned of floods and landslide that may occur because of the bad weather.

He said the public is now more vigilant in preparing for disasters.

The NDRRMC, which is targeting a zero-casualty rate, has advised fishermen in Palawan and in the eastern portions of the country, including Bicol, Samar, Surigao and Davao, not to go out to sea.

NDRRMC said over 3,000 families have already been affected by flashfloods in Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat due to rains caused by a shallow low pressure area.

Seventy-five out of the 88 people declared missing after the massive flashfloods in Glan and Maasim, Sarangani Tuesday have been rescued by military units operating in the area.

The local government units, particularly the Municipal DRRMC were advised to be on alert and to constantly monitor the effects of typhoon in their area.*PNA