TEMBIN MAY HIT SABAH COAST
Storm may bring strong winds, big waves
TROPICAL Storm Tembin is bearing down on the southern Philippines and is expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to Sabah’s east coast.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), Tembin’s location at 8am was latitude 7.7 north and longitude 125.6 east, approximately 46km northwest of Panabo, in the Philippines.
It is moving westwards at a speed of 20kph and its distance from the nearest Malaysian town, Kinabatangan, is approximately 846km.
“The storm may cause strong winds of more than 60kph and waves of more than 4.5m in the waters off Sabah (Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau),” said the department.
The Weather Philippines Foundation said Tembin had intensified into a severe tropical storm and made landfall along the Surigao Del Sur-Davao Oriental Border about 3am yesterday.
It forecasts that Tembin will emerge over the western coast of Zamboanga with weakened winds of 75kph by early morning today.
METMalaysia issued a FirstCategory Warning on strong winds and rough seas in the waters off south Tawau. Strong easterly winds of 40kph to 50kph with waves up to 3.5m are expected until Dec 25.
It said conditions were dangerous for small crafts, recreational sea activities and sports.
METMalaysia said Tropical Depression Kai-tak was moving west-southwestwards at a speed of 20kph.
As of 8am, its distance from the nearest Malaysian town, Dungun, is approximately 317km. Strong winds of more than 60kph and waves of more than 4.5m are expected for the waters off Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, east Johor, Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak