'Vicky' slightly intensifies after crossing Palawan; makes 2nd landfall in Puerto Princesa

Tropical depression “Vicky” has slightly intensified after it crossed Palawan on Saturday evening.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Vicky” made its second and final landfall in Puerto Princesa City around 8 p.m. and is now moving toward the West Philippine Sea.

It will likely be outside the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon or evening. 

Around 10 p.m. Saturday, “Vicky’s” location was estimated at 80 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It was slightly stronger with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 85 kph.

PAGASA said “Vicky” may intensity into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours. 

Signal No. 1

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains hoisted over the northern and central portions of Palawan, particularly Araceli, Dumaran, Taytay, El Nido, San Vicente, Roxas, Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, and Sofronio Espanola, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands.

Strong winds may prevail in areas under signal number 1.

Most of Luzon, especially the coastal and mountainous areas, may also experience wind gusts due to the surge of northeast monsoon or “amihan.”

Heavy rainfall in N. Luzon

Heavy rainfall may also persist due to the combined effects of tropical depression “Vicky” and the tail-end of frontal system, or the boundary between the cold amihan and warm easterly winds.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may prevail in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Quezon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands. 

Light to moderate rain in Metro 

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may affect Babuyan Islands, Abra, Benguet, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and the rest of Palawan.

Monday weather

By Monday, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may still affect Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern portion of Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may affect Abra, Benguet, the rest of Aurora, Quezon, and Palawan, including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.

PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant against possible flooding or flash floods and rain-induced landslides especially during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall particularly in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, as well as in areas that have already received significant rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks. 

Likewise, adjacent or nearby areas that may not have been directly affected by the rainfall were urged to remain alert due to the possibility of flooding from surface runoff or swelling of river channels. 

Rough seas

In the next 24 hours, the combined effects of the amihan and tropical depression may trigger rough to very rough seas over the entire seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, eastern seaboard of Quezon including Polillo Islands, seaboard of Camarines Norte, northern seaboard of Camarines Sur, and northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes. 

Rough seas may also prevail over the seaboard of areas under signal number 1, as well as the eastern seaboard of Albay including Rapu-Rapu Islands, eastern seaboard of Sorsogon, seaboard of Zambales, western seaboards of Bataan and Batangas, western seaboard of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, northern and eastern seaboard of Northern Samar, eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar including Homonhon Island, eastern seaboard of Dinagat Islands, eastern seaboard of Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, and eastern seaboards of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental. 

PAGASA advised that sea travel remains risky over these waters especially for small sea boats.