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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — State weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday expects tropical storm Gorio to intensify into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours as it slows down and maintains its strength.
In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Gorio was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph), and gustiness of 105 kph.
A tropical storm carries maximum sustained winds of 62-88 kph, while a severe tropical storm has 89-117 kph of maximum winds.
The storm was spotted 615 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, still moving northwestward at a slower pace at 9 kph, from the previous 13 kph. The slower pace of a tropical cyclone could give it more time to affect the areas.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the 450 km diameter of the tropical storm.
Gorio (international name Nesat) will enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rain over the western section of Luzon and light to moderate rain over the rest of Luzon and Visayas.
Classes and work in governement offices have been suspended in different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, although no storm signals have been raised.
The weather bureau said the storm was not expected to make landfall and would leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning.
However, PAGASA warned of monsoon rains that might trigger flashfloods and landslides in Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan)