Kabayan downgraded into tropical depression; Signal No. 1 up over 30 areas

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over more than 30 areas as Kabayan weakened into a tropical depression on Monday morning after making landfall in Davao Oriental.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No.1:

• the southern portion of Palawan (Sofronio Española, Brooke's Point, Bataraza, Balabac, Rizal, Quezon, Narra) including Cagayancillo Islands?
• Southern Leyte 
• Leyte
• the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao)
• the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes)
• Cebu including Camotes Islands
• Bantayan Islands
• Bohol
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras?
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin
• Bukidnon
• Davao de Oro
• the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Baganga, Manay, Caraga, Tarragona, Lupon, Banaybanay, Boston, Cateel)
• Misamis Occidental
• Lanao del Norte
• Lanao del Sur
• Davao del Norte
• Davao City
• the northern portion of Cotabato (Arakan, Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, President Roxas, Kabacan, Matalam, Antipas, Magpet, Libungan, Pigkawayan)
• the northern portion of Maguindanao (Buldon, Barira, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura)
• the western and central portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Siayan, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Katipunan, Dipolog City, Polanco, Mutia, Piñan, Dapitan City, Sibutad, La Libertad, Rizal, Siocon, Baliguian, Gutalac, Labason, Kalawit, Tampilisan, Liloy, Salug, Godod, Bacungan)
• the western and central portion of Zamboanga del Sur (Midsalip, Labangan, Tukuran, Aurora, Sominot, Ramon Magsaysay, Tambulig, Dumingag, Mahayag, Josefina, Molave, Vincenzo A. Sagun, Guipos, Dimataling, Dumalinao, Lakewood, Dinas, San Pablo, Tigbao, Tabina, Kumalarang, Lapuyan, Pitogo, Margosatubig, San Miguel, Bayog, Pagadian City)
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Agusan del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Sur?

At 10 a.m., Kabayan was located in the vicinity of Davao Oriental with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa, PAGASA said.

The strong to gale-force winds of Kabayan, which was almost stationary, extend up to 420 km from the center.

Kabayan is expected to move westward or west northwestward across the Philippine archipelago over the next two days. It will cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao and emerge over the Sulu Sea between Monday afternoon and evening. 

"Due to this, Kabayan may further weaken into a low pressure area," PAGASA said.

Kabayan is expected to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning or afternoon. It may pass near or over Kalayaan Islands between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Affected residents

In its report on Monday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 6,723 persons or 2,190 families were displaced in CARAGA region due to the combined effects of Kabayan and the shear line, 

Of the total number, 6,370 people or 2,072 families were staying in 48 evacuation centers while 353 individuals or 118 families were taking shelter in other places.

At least two houses were reported damaged so far, and power interruptions were reported in three areas in CARAGA Region.

The NDRRMC also said a seaport in Northern Mindanao has suspended operations due to the bad weather, stranding 124 passengers and three vessels.

Nineteen work schedules and two classes have been suspended in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao, respectively, it added.

A total of 11,729 persons or 3,428 families were preemptively evacuated in CARAGA and Northern Mindanao.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News