The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical cyclone "Kabayan" (international name: Jelawat) has intensified into a tropical storm on Sunday evening, Dec. 17.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Kabayan now has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, and is moving west-northwestward at 15 kph.

Its center was located 275 kilometers (km) east of Davao City, Davao del Sur.

⁣Signal No. 2 

⁣Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been issued for eight Mindanao areas, indicating that severe winds may pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property in the next 24 hours.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte, eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the northern portion of Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, strong winds in areas under Signal No. 1 may cause minimal to minor threat to life and property in the next 36 hours.

Areas under Signal No. 1 were Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar, southern portion of Eastern Samar, Cebu, including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, the rest of Agusan del Norte, the rest of Agusan del Sur, the central portion of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, the northern portion of Maguindanao del Norte, northern portion of Cotabato, northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur, and the northeastern portion of Zamboanga.

Brace for heavy rains

PAGASA said the northern part of Surigao del Sur may receive 200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall, which is considered “torrential,” while the remaining parts of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, and Southern Leyte may experience 100 to 200 mm of rainfall, which is considered “intense,” over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall (50 to 100 mm) may affect Leyte, Biliran, Bohol, the northern portions of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental, the southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar, and the rest of Caraga and Northern Mindanao.

PAGASA warned the public of flooding and rain-induced landslides, particularly in areas that are "highly or very highly susceptible" to these hazards.

Landfall likely

PAGASA said Kabayan may remain a tropical storm until it makes landfall on Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

"Kabayan is forecast to track generally westward or west northwestward path across the Philippine archipelago over the next two days," it said.

"It is likely to make landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental tonight or tomorrow morning (Dec. 17 or 18), cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, and emerge over Bohol Sea or Sulu Sea between tomorrow noon and evening," it added.