Tropical depression may make landfall
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2019 09:10:49 +0000
Amid a prevailing weak El Niño, a tropical depression off the Pacific coast may make landfall over Davao Oriental and bring rains over parts of Mindanao early this week, according to the State weather bureau.
As of yesterday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the tropical depression was 1,505 kilometers east of Mindanao and is still outside the country’s area of responsibility.
Should it continue to move west, the tropical depression will be inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility last night or this morning and will be named “Chedeng.” The tropical cyclone has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 60 kph.
PAGASA said scattered to at times widespread heavy rains may be experienced over parts of Mindanao tomorrow and Tuesday.
The tropical cyclone is seen to make landfall over eastern Davao Oriental between tomorrow night and Tuesday morning.
However, there remains a possibility that this tropical depression will weaken into a low pressure area before moving closer to the country, PAGASA said.
Residents in Mindanao, especially those living in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides, and the concerned disaster risk reduction and management offices should continue to monitor the PAGASA updates.
This morning, PAGASA said the tropical depression is expected at 970 kilometers east of Mindanao and it will be at 485 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur tomorrow morning.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said the tail-end of cold front will prevail across Northern and Central Luzon.
Batanes, Babuyan Island, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La Union will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Isolated to scattered rain showers may affect the rest of the country.
Flash floods or landslides due to severe thunderstorms may affect parts of Metro Manila, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Abra, Rizal, Quezon, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)