Tropical Depression ‘Domeng’ Expected in Cebu Wednesday

Tropical Depression (TD) Domeng (international name Peipah) is expected to arrive in Cebu tomorrow, Wednesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 10:00 am Monday, the weather bureau said the storm was estimated at 770 km East of Davao City with maximum winds of 65 KPH near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It added that Domeng is expected to be at 480 km East Davao City Tuesday,
PAGASA said, and by Wednesday morning, it will be at 290 km East Northeast of Davao City and by Thursday morning, it will be in the vicinity of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Cebu Province

Meanwhile, the Capitol’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) convened Monday afternoon to discuss
preparation for Domeng’s visit.

“We have a meeting sa PDRRMO, for preparation this Wednesday. Hopefully dili ni kusog as Yolanda. But still we will have to prepare unsay kuan kay according to (Baltazar) Tribunal (head of Task Force Paglig-on) it is expected to hit Cebu by Wednesday that’s why he
asked for this meeting at 1pm,” said Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday.

Davide said the local government units were also informed of this coming storm by sending them text messages regarding the storm.

The governor said he is expecting that after super typhoon Yolanda, “I’m sure, the slightest warning of a typhoon coming to Cebu, manganmdam na tanan municipalities ana.”

‘Weak, but could gain strength’

Meanwhile, report said that although relatively weak, TD Domeng could bring more rains in Visayas and Mindanao because of its slow movement.

In an interview Tuesday with GMA News TV, Dr. Carlos Primo David, head of GMA’s “Im ready Group”, said that residents under Domeng’s path need to be vigilant on rainfall. David warned that though Domeng is seen to be a weak storm, it could still gather strength while over the ocean, report said.

“Baka hindi nga siya nagdadala ng malakas na hangin pero dahil mabagal yung kanyang pag-galaw sa Pacific Ocean baka nag-iipon siya ng maraming moisture at dahil nga mabagal ang pag-cross niya ng Mindanao, baka matagal-tagal ang pag-ulan sa mga areas na maaapektuhan,” David said.

David is also one of the creators of the Department of Science and Technology’s Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH).

Blue Alert

On Monday at least seven regions have been placed on blue alert in preparation for possible heavy rain from Tropical Storm Domeng, which downgraded into a tropical depression on Monday afternoon.

Under Blue alert are:

Caraga
Western Visayas
Central Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Northern Mindanao (Region 10)
Davao Region (Region 11)
Palawan in Region 4B (MIMAROPA)

Weakened to Tropical Depression

On Monday afternoon Tropical Cyclone Domeng weakened into a tropical depression but PAGASA said parts of Mindanao, Cagayan Valley and Visayas may still expect thunderstorms.

Authorities on Alert

Although already a tropical depression, authorities remain on alert for possible threats from flash floods and storm surge.

GMA News’ resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz cautioned residents against letting down their guard as Domeng’s rain can still cause floods and landslides, report said.

“Dapat ‘I M Ready’ pa rin ang ating mga kababayan at hindi lamang ang storm surge dahil (sa) panganib na dala-dala nitong bagyong si Domeng. Kahit ito ay tropical depression, ang mga pag-ulan na pwedeng magdulot ng flash floods, ng landslides, ay mga panganib na dapat ding paghandaan ng ating mga kababayan,” Cruz told GMA News on Tuesday.

‘Possible storm surge’

The Department of Science and Technology’s Project NOAH posted a list of localities where possible storm surge from Domeng may occur.

These include areas in Maguindanao, Negros Oriental and Cebu.

Cruz said a storm surge stems from powerful winds brought by a cyclone that can cause big waves that threaten coastal areas. He said that with Domeng having weakened into a tropical depression, there is less chance of a storm surge that can threaten coastal areas.

Mindanao Coast Guard on Heightened Alert

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the Coast Guard in Southeastern Mindanao (Davao) is on heightened alert, while its units in Northern Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro) are on alert for possible search and rescue operations, report said.

In Eastern Visayas, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is monitoring cities and towns in coastal areas in Tacloban and the southern part of Leyte.

It added that Tacloban’s city disaster risk reduction and management council may hold a preemptive evacuation of those living along coastal areas.

The provincial disaster management councils in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental are on blue alert and identified families at risk of flooding and landslides, for possible preemptive evacuation, report said.