Tropical cyclone “Kabayan” (international name: Jelawat) has weakened into a tropical depression after its initial landfall over Manay, Davao Oriental on Monday morning, Dec. 18, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said Kabayan made landfall around 9:30 a.m., Monday and now has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.

Based on the 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Kabayan was almost stationary near the vicinity of Caraga, Davao Oriental.

It is expected to continue to traverse the rough terrain of Mindanao and emerge over the Sulu Sea between Monday afternoon and evening.

“Due to frictional effects associated with landfall, Kabayan is forecast to further weaken, and the possibility of being downgraded into a low pressure area while over land or after emerging over the sea is not ruled out—although in such a case, re-development may still occur over the Sulu Sea,” PAGASA said.

Another landfall possible in Palawan

Kabayan is expected to further travel south of the Cagayancillo Islands across the Sulu Sea in the next few hours.

By Tuesday morning or afternoon, Dec. 19, the tropical storm is expected to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression.

It will then re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea thereafter.

Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, PAGASA said Kabayan may pass close to or over the Kalayaan Islands.

Heavy rainfall, wind warnings still up

After Kabayan weakened into a tropical depression, PAGASA lowered the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 to Signal No. 1.

Areas under Signal No. 1 were Puerto Princesa City, Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar, southern portion of Eastern Samar, Cebu including Camotes Islands, Bantayan Islands, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Davao de Oro, the northern portion of Davao Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao City, the northern portion of Cotabato, northern portion of Maguindanao, western and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte, western and central portions of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur.

Intense rainfall may also persist in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental until Tuesday noon.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall may affect Central Visayas, Biliran, Leyte, 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, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.

PAGASA also said that heavy rains may persist in mainland Palawan, Cuyo Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, and Kalayaan Islands from Tuesday noon to Wednesday noon.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA warned.