Typhoon Xangsane weakens to tropical storm towards South China Sea

Typhoon Xangsane has reduced to tropical storm on its way out of the Philippines to the South China Sea on late Thursday after hitting Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the national weather bureau said.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts of up to 140 kph as it traveled west northwest at 22 kph, according to a report by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The highest storm warning signal number 3 was raised over the provinces of Bataan and southern Zambales, the weather authority said.

Signal number 2 was up over Manila, where government services and school classes are still suspended.

Xangsane was predicted to be 510 kilometers northwest of Manila on Friday afternoon, after the rainstorm left at least eight people dead and brought flash floods in the streets.

Source: Xinhua