'Gener' intensifies into a typhoon, 7 North Luzon areas under storm signals

Pagasa satellite image of typhoon "Gener" as of 4:32 p.m., July 30, 2012.

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - "Gener" has intensified into a typhoon, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday afternoon. 

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said the center of the typhoon was last tracked at 260 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes. "Gener" packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Public storm warning Signal No. 3 is now hoisted over Batanes Group of Islands.

Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, and the Babuyan Group of Islands have been placed under Signal No. 2, while Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao are under Signal No. 1 

"Gener" is moving slowly north northwest at seven kph and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday afternoon.

The typhoon will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the western section of Luzon and Visayas.

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