Herb intensifies as it nears RP

Herb intensifies as it nears RP

MANILA (Reuter): Typhoon Herb gathered strength yesterday and weathermen said it was likely to intensify as it roared closer to the Philippines.

Herb was raging over the Pacific Ocean, 810 kilometers east of the northern tip of the main Philippine island of Luzon, with powerful winds gusting up to 200 kph and center winds of 165 kph, a weather bureau alert said.

"There is a big chance it will become stronger because it is over the Pacific and the sea is the main source of its energy," forecasting center supervisor Nancy Alega said by telephone.

Although still too far to directly affect the country, Herb has induced monsoon rains that have been lashing all of Luzon island, including Manila, since Sunday. Its fringe winds may start buffeting the country late on Tuesday unless it changes direction, Alega said.