MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - Typhoon "Yutu" will likely hit northeastern Luzon next week, ahead of the All Soul's Day rush to cemeteries, the state weather bureau said Friday.
"Yutu" may hit the Cagayan-Isabela area, which was devastated by powerful typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) in September, PAGASA said. It will be named "Rosita" when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday.
At 4 p.m. Friday, "Yutu" was spotted 1,815 kilometers east of North Luzon, still outside PAR.
The storm weakened from early Friday, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph with 225 kph gusts.
Typhoon warning signals may be raised in the Cagayan and Isabela areas as early as Sunday evening, when moderate to heavy rains are expected in Northern and Central Luzon, PAGASA said.
The projected landfall of the storm is 2 days before All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, where millions of Filipinos are expected to offer flowers and candles on the tombs of the departed. Both days were declared as non-working holidays.
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