Light to moderate with at times heavy rains continue to affect several areas in Mindanao as tropical depression "Crising" traverses the southern region, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said early Friday morning, May 14.

In its severe weather bulletin issued at 2 a.m., PAGASA said Crising was already in the vicinity of New Corella, Davao del Norte at around 1 a.m.

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph while moving west at 20 kph.

Signal No. 1 was still up in the southeastern portion of Negros Oriental, southern portion of Surigao del Sur, central and southern portions of Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, northern portion of Cotabato, northern portion of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, central and western portions of Misamis Oriental, northeastern portion of Zamboanga del Sur, and northeastern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.

"Strong breeze to near gale conditions is likely over the localities where tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 is in effect, especially in the coastal and mountainous areas of these localities," PAGASA said.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also expected over Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, and northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.

"Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are possible during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA warned.

"Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels," it said.

Moreover, Crising could trigger moderate to rough seas in areas under Signal No. 1 in the next 24 hours.

"Mariners of small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over these waters, (while) inexperienced mariners of these vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said.

Projected track and intensity

Crising is seen to move westward or west-northwestward and cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao before emerging over the Sulu Sea in the next few hours.

Likewise, the tropical depression may cross Palawan by Saturday, May 15.

PAGASA said Crising could weaken into a remnant low by Saturday before or during its landfall over Palawan and dissipate shortly afterward.

However, due to the expected deterioration in the circulation of the tropical depression, while traversing Mindanao, PAGASA said there is an increasing possibility that Crising will degenerate into a remnant low within Friday.