DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 February) – Public storm warning Signal Number One has been raised over the Davao region as the low pressure area east of Mindanao developed into a tropical depression named “Crising.”
In its Weather Bulletin Number One issued at 5:30 p..m. Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) PAGASA said Crising is “expected to be at 350 km east of General Santos City” by Tuesday afternoon and at 40 km southeast of Cotabato City by Wednesday afternoon.
By Thursday afternoon, Crising is expected to be at 220 km southeast of Zamboanga City.
PAGASA has raised Typhoon Signal Number 1 over Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and the cities of Davao, Tagum, Panabo, Island Garden City of Samal, Digos and Mati.
According to PAGASA, under Signal 1, winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour are expected within the next 36 hours. Among the impacts of the winds are: twigs and branches of trees may be broken; some banana plants may tilt or land flat on the ground; rice in flowering stage may suffer significant damage; some nipa and cogon houses may be partially unroofed; and travel of small seacrafts and fishing boats is risky.
In its earlier advisory at 5 p.m., the weather bureau warned of heavy rains and thunderstorms in the Mindanao regions of Davao, Caraga and theSouth Cotabato region and Eastern Visayas “that may trigger flashfloods and landslides” as tropical depression “Crising” approaches Mindanao.
PAGASA noted that as of 4 p.m., Crising’s center was estimated at 750 kilometers east of General Santos City with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour.
Caraga comprises the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands and the cities of Butuan, Cabadbaran, Bayugan, Surigao, Bislig and Tandag while the South Cotabato region – Region 12 or Soutwestern Mindanao (also referred to as Soccskargen) comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (MindaNews)
