Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) will unleash its wrath on the Philippines' capital, Metro Manila, from 8 to 10 pm on Monday, December 8, the state weather bureau warned. 

Manila, Philippines - Metro Manila will feel Ruby at its strongest during this period because the typhoon is closest to the capital by then, state weather forecaster Jori Loiz explained on Sunday, December 7.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11 pm on Sunday placed Metro Manila under Storm Warning Signal Number 2. This means residents here can expect winds of 61 to 100 km/h in at least 24 hours. 

The expected effects of Ruby have prompted the Palace to suspend classes and government work in Metro Manila, Region IV-A, and Region IV-B on Monday. Other local governments have also suspended classes because of Ruby.

These have also caused the lifting of the number coding scheme, a means to control traffic, in the whole of Metro Manila, except in Makati City, on Monday.

PAGASA expects Ruby to affect other parts of the Philippines until Thursday, December 11.

Packing winds of up to 140 km/h, Ruby is said to be the “longest-staying” typhoon in the country as it moves at a slow pace of 10 km/h. It entered the Philippine area of responsibility on December 4.

Source: Rappler.com

Photo by Zalrian Z Sayat/EPA

PAGASA, in its latest advisory issued 5 a.m. Monday, said the typhoon has continued to weaken and is expected to hit Northern Mindoro and pass close to Metro Manila between 6-8 p.m. tonight.

Public storm warning signal number 2 remains hoisted over the metropolis, but signal number 3 has been raised in provinces just south of the nation's capital.

Signal number 3:

Burias Island
Marinduque
Romblon
Oriental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro
Batangas
Laguna
Cavite
Southern Quezon 
Lubang Island

Signal number 2:

Masbate
Ticao Island
Calamian Grp. of Islands Bulacan
Bataan
Northern Quezon
Rizal
Albay
Camarines Sur
Camarines Norte 
Metro Manila 
Semirara Island
Aklan
Capiz

Signal number 1:

Sorsogon
Polillo Island
Zambales
Nueva Ecija
Tarlac
Pampanga
Catanduanes
Northern Palawan 
Cuyo
Northern Samar
Iloilo
Antique
Biliran 
Bantayan Island

PAGASA warned that 3-meter-high storm surges may occur in areas in signal number 3.

It said the typhoon, which was spotted 50 km northeast of Romblon as 4 a.m., is expected to to make its 3rd landfall in northern Mindoro.

"It will be associated with strong winds, storm surge, and moderate to heavy rainfall," PAGASA said.

It added that Ruby is carrying moderate to heavy rainfall within its 450-km diameter.

The typhoon has already left 8 people dead in the Visayas and forced up to a million people to evacuate to safer ground.

Ruby, which is moving west-northwest at 10 kph, is expected to be 60 km west-northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro by Tuesday morning and leave the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday.

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com