12 Areas in Mindanao Under PSWS No. 1 Due TD ‘Onyok’; TD ‘Nona’ Weakens into LPA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised public storm warning signal (PSWS) No. 1 over 12 areas in Mindanao on Thursday morning as tropical depression (TD) “Onyok” maintains its strength and continues to pose a threat over Caraga Region.

PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m. Thursday, the center of TD “Onyok” was estimated based on all available data at 625 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.4°N, 132.0°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center. It is forecast to move westward at 15 kph.

With its present speed and movement, “Onyok” is expected to make a landfall in Caraga Region by Friday afternoon or evening, the weather agency said.

As this developed, PSWS No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in 36 hours) is hoisted over the provinces of Surigao del Sur, including Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Province, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Bukidnon.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with the public storm warning signal are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 100-km diameter of the tropical depression.

TD “Onyok” is forecast to be at 273 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Friday morning.

On Saturday morning, it is expected to be in the vicinity of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte; and at 750 km west of Zamboanga City by Sunday morning.

It is forecast to be at 1,445 km west-southwest of Zamboanga City or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning.

Meanwhile, tropical depression “Nona” has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA), prompting weathermen to lift all public storm warning signals in Luzon.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, PAGASA said the LPA was spotted some 75 km west of Olongapo City, Zambales (14.8°N, 119.6°E). It is expected to bring light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Fisherfolk are still advised not to venture out over the seaboards of northern, western and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

The weakening of “Nona” is due to the presence of cold winds of the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan,” PAGASA explained. (PNA) SCS/CLTC