The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Kabayan (international name: Jelawat) was moving toward Davao Oriental and is expected to make landfall over the province or Surigao del Sur on Monday morning, Dec. 18.

In its 2 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA located Kabayan 225 kilometers east of Davao City, Davao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

In a few hours, Kabayan may pass over Davao Oriental or the southern part of Surigao del Sur if it keeps moving at its current 15 kph west-northwest track, PAGASA said.

After its initial landfall, the storm may cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao and emerge over the Sulu Sea between Monday afternoon and evening.

“Afterwards, Kabayan will move across the Sulu Sea, south of Cagayancillo Islands. The tropical cyclone is forecast to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning or afternoon (Dec. 19), then emerge over the West Philippine Sea shortly thereafter,” PAGASA said.

“Kabayan may pass near or over Kalayaan Islands between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning (Dec. 19),” it added.

Strong winds, heavy rains

Due to the anticipated severe winds from the storm, tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains 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, areas under Signal No. 1 were Cagayancillo Islands, 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, Guimaras, 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, Zamboanga del Sur, and the northeastern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.

Torrential rains (above 200 millimeters) may also affect the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, while intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) may be felt in the rest of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, and Southern Leyte in the next few hours.

Heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) are also possible in Central Visayas, Leyte, Biliran, 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.

Between Monday evening and Tuesday evening, heavy rains may prevail over mainland Palawan, Cuyo Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, and Kalayaan Islands.