Signal No. 2 up as Kabayan intensifies into tropical storm

Metro Manila, December 18 ------ Parts of Mindanao are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm Kabayan is expected to make landfall along the coast of Davao Oriental Monday morning, the state weather bureau said. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the northern portion of Davao Oriental. 

The agency also raised Signal No. 1 in the southern portion of mainland Palawan, Cagayancillo Islands, Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Cebu including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, the rest of Agusan del Norte, the rest of Agusan del Sur, the central portion of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, the northern portion of Maguindanao del Norte, the northern portion of Cotabato, the northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. 

Kabayan was last located over the coastal waters of Manay, Davao Oriental, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. After its expected landfall Monday morning, the weather system is seen to cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, then emerge over the Sulu Sea between afternoon and evening, PAGASA said. Due to frictional effects associated with landfall, the weather system may be downgraded into a tropical depression. The possibility of being further downgraded into a low pressure area while over land or after emerging over the sea is also not ruled out. 

Kabayan is seen to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning or afternoon, then emerge over the West Philippine Sea. Aside from Kabayan, PAGASA said the shear line coinciding with the passage of Kabayan may bring heavy rainfall over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon. The surge of the northeast monsoon will also bring gusty conditions for the next two days over parts of Luzon and Visayas that are not under any wind signal, it noted. 

Source: cnnphilippines.com