Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over six provinces in Mindanao as tropical storm “Kabayan” (international name: Jelawat) is about to make landfall over Davao Oriental on Monday morning, Dec. 18.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) located the center of the tropical storm over the coastal waters of Manay, Davao Oriental.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, and was moving westward at 20 kph.
“On the track forecast, Kabayan will likely to make landfall as a tropical storm along the coast of Davao Oriental this morning (Dec. 18). It will then cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, and emerge over the Sulu Sea between this afternoon and evening,” PAGASA said.
“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 tomorrow morning or afternoon (Dec. 18), then emerge over the West Philippine Sea shortly thereafter. Kabayan may pass near or over Kalayaan Islands between tomorrow evening and Wednesday morning,” it added.
Strong winds, heavy rains
Due to the anticipated severe winds from the storm, tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 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 the southern portion of mainland Palawan, 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.
Intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental in the next few hours.
Heavy rains (50 to 100 millimeters) are also possible in Central Visayas, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Davao City, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar, and the rest of Caraga.
On Tuesday, heavy rains may prevail over mainland Palawan, Cuyo Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, and Kalayaan Islands.