Severe Tropical Storm Tino nears typhoon status, bringing torrential rain

MANILA, Philippines, November 3 ------ The weather bureau warned several provinces to brace for intense to torrential rain as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (Kalmaegi) intensified further offshore before dawn on Monday, November 3. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a briefing past 5 am on Monday that Tino now has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour from the previous 100 km/h. Its gustiness is now up to 135 km/h from 125 km/h.

Tino is still expected to strengthen into a typhoon, possibly by Monday morning, as rapid intensification remains likely. It could reach a peak intensity of around 150 to 165 km/h — referring to maximum sustained winds — and possibly make its initial landfall while at or near this intensity. There is still a possibility as well of Tino reaching super typhoon status. Under the weather bureau’s classification, a super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h or above.

As of 4 am on Monday, Tino was already 430 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, still moving west southwest at a relatively fast 30 km/h. It could make its initial landfall in Eastern Samar, Leyte, or Dinagat Islands by midnight or early Tuesday morning, November 4. Afterwards, it is expected to cross the Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning or afternoon, November 5.

Signal No. 2

Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property

- central and southern parts of Eastern Samar (Quinapondan, Can-avid, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Borongan City, Taft, Llorente, Maydolong, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian, General MacArthur, Hernani, Mercedes)

- central and southern parts of Samar (San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Talalora, Jiabong, Catbalogan City, Motiong, Calbiga, Daram, Marabut, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan)

- Leyte

- Biliran

- Southern Leyte

- Camotes Islands

- eastern part of Bohol (Talibon, Trinidad, Ubay, Bien Unido, President Carlos P. Garcia, Mabini, Alicia, Candijay, Guindulman, Anda, San Miguel, Pilar, Getafe)

- Dinagat Islands

- Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island

- northeastern part of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay)

- northern part of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid)

Signal No. 1

Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property

- Sorsogon

- Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island

southern part of Albay (Santo Domingo, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Camalig, Ligao City, Rapu-Rapu, Pio Duran, Bacacay, Daraga, Malilipot, Jovellar, Manito)

- Romblon

- southern part of Oriental Mindoro (Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao)

- southern part of Occidental Mindoro (San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Magsaysay)

- Cuyo Islands

- Northern Samar

- rest of Eastern Samar

- rest of Samar

- rest of Bohol

- rest of Cebu including Bantayan Islands

- Siquijor

- Negros Oriental

- Negros Occidental

- Guimaras

- Iloilo

- Capiz

- Aklan

- Antique including Caluya Islands

- central part of Surigao del Sur (Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, Tandag City, San Miguel, Tago, Cagwait, Bayabas, Marihatag, San Agustin, Lianga)

- northern part of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat, Bayugan City, Prosperidad, Esperanza)

rest of Agusan del Norte

- eastern part of Misamis Oriental (Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Claveria, Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Salay, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon)

- Camiguin

Signal No. 4 is the highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Tino.

Source: rappler.com