TD ‘Onyok’ Maintains Strength; Signal No. 1 Up in 20 Areas in Mindanao

At least 20 areas in Mindanao are now under public storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression “Onyok” has maintained its strength and direction and continues to pose threat to CARAGA region, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Rene Paciente said that as of 4 a.m. Friday, Onyok was estimated based on all available data at 405 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (8.4N, 130.0E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move west at 17 kph.

If it maintains its speed and movement, Onyok is expected to make a landfall in Caraga region on Friday night.

He noted once it makes a landfall, Onyok is expected to weakened into low pressure area.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal (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, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under 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.

Paciente also said that rains are expected over the eastern part of Southern and Central Luzon due to the convergence winds of easterlies and northeast monsoon.

For Friday forecast, PAGASA said that rains with gusty winds is expected over the regions of CARAGA, Davao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and the provinces of Lanao Del Sur and North Cotabato.

Cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon while cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the northeast to north over the rest of Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the strong to gale force winds associated with the northeast monsoon as the sea condition would be rough to very rough in the seaboards of northern, eastern and western seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. (PNA) JBP/CLTC