Onyok slows down, will weaken into LPA upon landfall in Davao Oriental
m. and 10 p.m. Friday, the state weather bureau said
According to the Severe Weather Bulletin (SWB) No. 8 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 5 p.m., Onyok’s center as of 4 p.m. was estimated at 210 km East of Mati City, Davao Oriental, with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center, down from 55 kph as of 10 a.m., and forecast to move west at 18 kph, down from 20kph as of 10 a.m.
Only 17 provinces remain under Public Storm Warning Signal number 1, compared with 23 as listed in Severe Weather Bulletin no. 7 issued at 11 a.m. Friday.
Estimated rainfall amount is now “from heavy to intense” within the 150 km diameter of the tropical depression.
Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
By Saturday afternoon Onyok is expected 50 km southwest of Zamboanga City, as a Low Pressure Area (LPA).
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 remains over 17 of 27 Mindanao provinces in five of six regions:
Caraga Region: Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte (including Siargao Island), Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur;
Region 10 (Northern Mindanao): Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental;
Region 11 (Davao Region or Southeastern Mindanao): Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur;
Region 12 (Soccscksargen or Southwestern Mindanao): North Cotabato; and
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
The public and the disaster risk reduction and management councils are advised to take appropriate actions.
Under PSWS 1 where 36-60 kph winds are expected in 36 hours, the impacts of the wind are “very light or no damage to low risk structures, light damage to medium to high risk structures, slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities, some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged, twigs of small trees may be broken” but rice crops, “may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.”
In the last four years, Mindanao experienced two destructive typhoons in December: Sendong on December 16-17, 2011 affecting the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon; and Pablo on December 4, 2012 affecting the province of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte. (MindaNews)
