LPA now Tropical Depression Kabayan, Signal No. 1 up over 12 areas

The low pressure area (LPA) located east of Mindanao on Sunday developed into a tropical depression which has been named Kabayan. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (TCWS) was hoisted over 12 areas, PAGASA said.

Areas placed under TCWS No. 1 are:

1. the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut);
2. the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes);
3. the eastern and southern portions of Leyte (Mahaplag, Abuyog, Javier, Macarthur, Tabontabon, La Paz, Mayorga, Tolosa, Tanauan, Julita, Dulag, Palo, Tacloban City, Babatngon, Matalom, Hilongos, Bato);
4. Southern Leyte;
5. Dinagat Islands;
6. Surigao del Norte;
7. Surigao del Sur;
8. Agusan del Norte
9. the northern and eastern portions of Agusan del Sur (Bunawan, San Francisco, City of Bayugan, Esperanza, Talacogon, Rosario, Sibagat, Prosperidad, San Luis, Trento);
10. the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel);
11. the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan); and
12. Camiguin.

These areas will experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h in 36 hours, which may pose minimal to minor threat to life and property, PAGASA said.

At 4 a.m. on Sunday, Kabayan's center was estimated to be located at 460 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Kabayan has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa.

The tropical depression is moving westward at 10 km/h.

From Kabayan's center, strong winds are extending outwards up to 350 km.

Kabayan is likely to make landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental on Sunday night or early Monday morning, PAGASA said.

Rainfall

Heavy rainfall is expected in the following areas on Sunday:

• Surigao del Sur - 100 to 200 mm
• Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the northern portions of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro - 50 to 100 mm

Meanwhile, on Monday, rainfall is expected in the following areas:

• Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Southern Leyte - 100 to 200 mm
• The southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar, the eastern and southern portions of Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte - 50 to 100 mm

"Forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days," PAGASA said.

Heavy rainfall may also be expected over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon on Sunday, and over the eastern portion of Luzon on Monday due to the shear line coinciding with the passage of Kabayan.

Winds

PAGASA said more provinces in Visayas and Mindanao may be placed under TCWS No. 1 later on Sunday.

Gusty conditions may also be expected in the next two days over the following areas due to the surge of the Northern Monsoon (Amihan): Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, the northern and eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portions of Isabela and Nueva Ecija, and portions of Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Pampanga, Cavite, Mindoro Provinces.?

Coastal waters

A gale warning was raised covering the coastal waters along the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to the Northeast Monsoon and Kabayan.

"Sea travel is risky for small seacraft (including all motor bancas of any type or tonnage). Mariners of these vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

Track and intensity

Kabayan may possibly intensify into a tropical storm before landfall, according to the weather bureau.

It is forecast to weaken after landfall and may be downgraded into an LPA while over land or after emerging over the sea.

On Monday and early morning of Tuesday, Kabayan is expected to move across the Sulu Sea south of Cuyo Islands.

From there it is expected to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning.

Kabayan will thereafter emerge over the Philippine Sea by noon of Tuesday or early afternoon, before passing near or over Kalayaan Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

The weather bureau advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

PAGASA will issue the next bulletin at 8 a.m. —KG, GMA Integrated News