Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Cataingan, Masbate on Tuesday morning.
The earthquake was recorded at 8:03 a.m. Its epicenter was located at 11.98°N, 123.98°E – 005 km S 17° W of Cataingan.
The depth of the focus of the earthquake is one kilometer. The quake was tectonic in origin.
Intensity IV was felt in Mapanas in Northern Samar; Legazpi City in Albay; and Lezo in Aklan.
Intensity III was felt meanwhile in Iloilo City, and Intensity I in President Roxas in Capiz.
PHIVOLCS said damage and aftershocks are to be expected.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Mark Timbal said initial information from the Office of Civil Defense V indicated that residences made of light materials in Palanas, Masbate have sustained some damages.
Timbal added the NDRRMC has received information from PHIVOLCS that there is no tsunami threat following the quake.
He added that coordination is ongoing to determine the effect of the quake in other areas.
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Tropical Depression “Helen” exits PAR
Pagasa reported on its latest severe weather bulletin that tropical depression Helen slightly intensifies and is now outside the Philippines Area of Responsibility (PAR).
At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “HELEN” was estimated based on all available data at 395 km West of Basco, Batanes (OUTSIDE PAR) (20.0 °N, 118.2 °E ).
Helen is moving West Northwestward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
HELEN exited the northwestern boundary of the PAR at 1:00 AM today.
On the forecast track, HELEN will move generally west-northwestward to northwestward towards the South China Sea and will likely make landfall over Guangdong Province in southern China on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
HELEN is forecast to reach the tropical storm category today. Additional intensification is more likely prior to landfall in China.
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