‘Crising’: Signal 2 up in some parts of Mindanao

THE state-run weather agency on Thursday raised Signal No. 2 over some areas in southern Mindanao as “Crising” intensified into a tropical storm.

Affected areas were the southern portion of Surigao del Sur (Lingig and City of Bislig), the southeastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Trento and Santa Josefa), the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel and Baganga) and the northeastern portion of Davao de Oro (Compostela, Montevista, Monkayo and New Bataan).

Also in Mindanao, Signal No. 1 was up over the rest of Surigao del Sur, the rest of Agusan del Sur, the rest of Davao Oriental, the rest of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City and the eastern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Quezon, City of Valencia, Lantapan, Maramag, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, Don Carlos, Kibawe and Damulog).

Based on the forecast track of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the tropical cyclone is moving westward or west northwestward and is likely to make landfall over the Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area between tonight and early Friday morning.

Weather specialist Ariel Rojas said in the 11 a.m. advisory Crising was estimated at 330 kilometers east of Davao City.

It is moving west-northwestward at the speed of 10 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Rojas said slight intensification was likely as Crising was forecast to remain a tropical storm prior to landfall.

Throughout Friday, Pagasa said Crising is expected to weaken into a tropical depression as it traverses the rugged landmass of Mindanao and will emerge over the Sulu Sea early Saturday morning.

“It is forecast to weaken into a remnant low early Sunday morning while passing over Palawan and dissipate shortly afterward,” Rojas said.

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte until Friday.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by the easterlies.