STORM LIKELY TO HIT SOUTH ON MONDAY NIGHT

A tropical storm is likely to hit Southern Cebu either tomorrow night or at dawn Tuesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) could not yet say which part of Southern Cebu the storm would hit, as it was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of Saturday.

Pagasa Mactan Chief Al Quiblat said that given the weather system’s track so far, it could hit Northern Mindanao or anywhere from Talisay City to Santander in Cebu’s southern leg. Quiblat said he expects the tropical depression will strengthen into a tropical storm before landfall, which means its winds could be 62 to 88 kilometers per hour (kph).

At that strength, it could bring up to 40 millimeters of rainfall, which is equivalent to 200,000 barrels or drums that can already cause floods. He said Pagasa will confirm more details once the weather disturbance enters PAR.

A tropical depression generates winds that are 62 kph or weaker. A tropical storm packs winds that are 63 to 88 kph. A severe tropical storm carries winds that are from 89 to 118 kph. A typhoon has winds from 119 to 220 kph, and systems that bring with it winds that are 220 kph or stronger are super typhoons.

“At present, we will continue to use international data until the storm will enter PAR,” Quiblat said.

SUNSTAR FOTO / ALEX BADAYOS DUSK ON THE CITY’S SHORES. A golden glow wraps Cebu City as the day’s last rays bounce on the water off the South Road Properties. This kind of light is a part of southern commuters’ daily vistas, along with the imposing sight of the SM Seaside City...