CITY GOVT OF ORMOC

TYPHOON JOLINA, with international name Conson, weakened into a severe tropical storm Tuesday morning after making six landfalls beginning Monday night, dumping heavy rains in parts of Eastern Visayas in central Philippines.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths but some residents in Ormoc City, among other areas, were evacuated due to unexpected flash floods as the storm veered from its forecasted path.

Several local governments reported toppled electricity posts and trees, and damage to public structures such as schools. 

State weather bureau PAGASA said the first five landfalls were in different towns in the Samar provinces from Monday evening to Tuesday morning. The 6th landfall was in Dimasalang, Masbate.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Tuesday, PAGASA said Jolina was no longer expected to intensify until after it crosses Luzon mainland in the north.

As of 4 p.m. the storm was located 60 kilometers (km) west-northwest of Masbate City, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 125 km/hr.

Cyclone wind signals at levels 1 to 2 were up in various areas in the Luzon mainland and surrounding islands provinces.

From Wednesday to Thursday morning, the tropical cyclone is seen to traverse the regions of Calabarzon and Central Luzon before exiting the country’s landmass, according to PAGASA’s forecast. It is expected to further weaken into tropical storm category as it crosses Luzon. — MSJ

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