DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/29 December) – Tropical depression Seniang has intensified into a storm and made landfall over Bakulin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur early Monday morning, packing sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the weather bureau said.
Weather Bulletin Number 5 of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued at 5 a.m. said Seniang’s center was in the vicinity of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 4 a.m. and was forecast to move West Northwest at 11 kph and will “exit the landmass of Agusan del Norte by (Monday) noon then will traverse Bohol sea.”
Seniang is expected at 125 km northwest of Cagayan de Oro City by Tuesday morning, 205 km northwest of Dipolog City by Wednesday morning and 75 km southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan by Thursday morning.
Of 14 Mindanao provinces placed under Signal 1 as of 11 p.m. Monday, six have been placed under Signal 2 as of the 5 a.m. advisory: Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte (including Siargao Island), Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, and Bohol and Siquijor in the Visayas.
Signal 1 remains hoisted over Mindanao’s Dinagat Province, Compostela Valley, northern part of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte and the Visayas’ Leyte, Southern Leyte, Camotes Island, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, the advisory said.
The advisory also said the etimated rainfall amount is “from 15 – 30 mm per hour (heavy – intense) within the 300 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.”
It warned residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under Signals 2 and 1, “especially Caraga Region as well as over Eastern Visayas and the rest of Mindanao” of possible flashfloods and landslides and added “ocean waves may reach up to 5 meters,” a meter higher than the 11 p.m. advisory. (MindaNews)
