courtesy: gettyimages
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Signal No. 1 over some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao after a low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao developed into Tropical Depression Kabayan early Sunday morning.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Pagasa said Kabayan was last located 440 kilometers (kms) east of Davao City, Davao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 55 kms per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Areas in the Visayas under Signal No. 1 include the southern portion of Samar, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, and Camotes Islands.
In Mindanao, areas under the signal are Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, the northern portion of Davao Oriental, the northern portion of Davao de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and the northern portion of Bukidnon.
PAGASA said the shear line coinciding with the tropical cyclone may also bring heavy rainfall over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon today and over the eastern portion of Luzon tomorrow.
Kabayan is forecast to move generally west northwestward across the country over the next two days before it makes landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental tonight or early tomorrow morning.
In a briefing, the bureau warned that areas near rock formations in Surigao del Sur may be susceptible to landslides, especially after back-to-back magnitude 7 earthquakes that hit the region.
“Pinapayuhan natin ang ating mga kababayan, maging sa mga tinatawag natin na debris flow, ‘yung mga malalaking bitak na bato na maaaring dumausdos dahil sa malakas na pag-ulan,” Pagsa Assistant
Pagasa said the tropical depression is currently “moving north northwestward slowly.”
The state weather bureau said it is likely to maintain its strength until its initial landfall over Mindanao. Pagasa added that the possibility of reaching tropical storm category pre-landfall is “not ruled out.”
The tropical depression, however, is forecast to weaken and could be downgraded into a low pressure area after landfall.
Kabayan is the 11th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year. Pagasa explained that fewer cyclones are recorded due to the El Nino phenomenon.
