‘Vicky’ leaves PH area of responsibility

December 21 ------ Tropical depression “Vicky” has already left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday afternoon but still headed towards Kalayaan Islands. In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Vicky left the PAR at 2 p.m. It estimated the tropical depression’s location at 70 kilometers southeast of Kalayaan, Palawan around 4 p.m.

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains hoisted over Kalayaan Islands as “strong breeze to near gale conditions” will prevail due to the passage of Vicky. Gusty conditions are also likely over most of Luzon, especially in the coastal and mountainous areas, due to the surge of northeast monsoon or “amihan.” PAGASA said the combined effects of the tail-end of frontal system and tropical depression Vicky may continue to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over mainland Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, northern portion of Palawan including Calamian Islands, and Kalayaan Islands on Sunday evening.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also affect Babuyan Islands, Abra, and Benguet. By Monday, moderate to heavy rains will persist over Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and the northern portion of Quezon, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over Batanes, Kalayaan Islands, Abra, and Benguet. PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant against possible flooding or flash floods and rain-induced landslides especially during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall particularly in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, as well as in areas that have already received significant rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks.

Likewise, adjacent or nearby areas that may not have been directly affected by the rainfall were urged to remain alert due to the possibility of flooding from surface runoff or swelling of river channels. In the next 24 hours, the combined effects of the surge of northeast monsoon and tropical depression Vicky will bring rough to high seas up to 2.8 to 6.0 meters over the entire seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Rough to very rough seas up to 2.8 to 4.5 meters may affect the seaboard of Zambales, western seaboard of Bataan, seaboard of Lubang Island, western seaboard of Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands, seaboard of Aurora, eastern seaboard of Quezon including Polillo Islands, seaboard of Camarines Norte, northern seaboard of Camarines Norte, northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, eastern seaboard of Albay including Rapu-Rapu Islands, eastern seaboard of Sorsogon, and northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar.

PAGASA pointed out that sea travel remains risky over these waters especially for small boats. Meanwhile, the low pressure area east of Catanduanes has already dissipated.

Source: mb.com.ph