Chedeng weakens into severe tropical storm; more monsoon rain expected

Severe Tropical Storm Chedeng (Guchol) is set to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday, June 11, but the southwest monsoon is dumping more rain

MANILA, Philippines – Chedeng (Guchol) weakened from a typhoon into a severe tropical storm on Sunday afternoon, June 11, just hours before its expected exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Chedeng’s maximum sustained winds decreased to 110 kilometers per hour from the previous 120 km/h, based on the 5 pm bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Its gustiness eased to 135 km/h from 150 km/h.

Chedeng earlier reached a peak intensit