MANILA — In a recent update, Tropical Depression Kabayan has strengthened, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to issue Signal No. 2 for certain areas in Mindanao.
With maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness reaching up to 80 kph, Tropical Depression Kabayan is currently moving west-northwest at 15 kph.
Under Signal No. 2 are Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte (including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands), Surigao del Sur, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the northern portion of Davao Oriental.
Signal No. 1 has been raised in the southern portion of mainland Palawan and Cagayancillo Islands in Luzon.
The same storm alert applies to Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Cebu (including Camotes and Bantayan Islands), Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras.
Additional areas under Signal No. 1 include the rest of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, the central portion of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, the northern portion of Maguindanao del Norte, the northern portion of Cotabato, the northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao.
Pagasa’s weather specialist, Grace Castañeda, mentioned that Kabayan is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm along the coast of Davao Oriental or southern Surigao del Sur today (Monday) before crossing the challenging terrain of Mindanao and emerging over the Sulu Sea between afternoon and evening.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to overcast skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon locally known as “amihan.”
(Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)
