Vinta now a Severe Tropical Storm

Vinta has intensified into a severe tropical storm and is about to make landfall in Surigao del Sur, the state weather bureau reported in its Severe Weather Bulletin issued late Thursday evening.

As of 10 p.m., the center of Severe Tropical Storm Vinta was located 85 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.

Vinta is moving westward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Northern Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Eastern Zamboanga del Norte, and Eastern Zamboanga del Sur.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Dinagat Island, rest of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, rest of Zamboanga del Norte, rest of Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Vinta is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Sur this midnight.

PAGASA forecast states that scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and North Cotabato within 24 hours.

Residents of these areas must make appropriate actions against flooding and landslides, coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates.

Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal. — BAP, GMA News