‘Vinta’ comes to town; may hit land Thursday or Friday

The low pressure area east of Mindanao the state weather bureau has been monitoring the past few days has entered the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday noon, shortly morphing into Tropical Depression “Vinta.”

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) estimated the center of “Vinta” to still be at sea at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, but due to effects of its outer cloud bands, storm Signal No. 1 has already been hoisted over Surigao del Sur and Northern Davao Oriental.

“Vinta” is expected to make landfall between the Caraga or Davao region sometime this (Thursday) evening to Friday morning. Pagasa is consequently mulling the possible inclusion to Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.

In its 24-hour weather forecast issued 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Pagasa warned of scattered to widespread rains over eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao within the next 24 hours, which may trigger flooding and landslides.

Small seacraft were also advised not to venture out over the seaboards of eastern Mindanao due to the moderate to rough seas associated with the approaching Tropical Depression.

As of dusk on Wednesday, Vinta was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph.

Earlier, the Pagasa said the weather disturbance is likely to intensify before landfall, and cross the Philippine archipelago in the Visayas or Mindanao area.

According to Pagasa forecast, Vinta will continue moving west at 20 kph.