Crising now a tropical storm; Signal No. 2 in 4 Mindanao areas

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised over parts of Mindanao as tropical depression Crising has intensified into a tropical storm, the state weather bureau said midday Thursday.

Areas under Signal No. 2 are:

• southern portion of Surigao del Sur (Lingig, City of Bislig)
• southeastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Trento, Santa Josefa)
• northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel, Baganga)
• northeastern portion of Davao de Oro (Compostela, Montevista, Monkayo, New Bataan)

Meanwhile, areas under Signal No. 1 are:

• the rest of Surigao del Sur 
• the rest of Agusan del Sur
• the rest of Davao Oriental
• the rest of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, 
• the eastern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Quezon, City of Valencia, Lantapan, Maramag, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Damulog)

Crising was last spotted 330 kilometers east of Davao City, blowing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

It was moving westward at 10 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.

Crising is expected to make landfall in the Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area between Thursday night and early Friday.

The storm is expected to weaken into a tropical depression as it traverses the rugged landmass of Mindanao and will emerge over the Sulu Sea early Saturday, Pagasa said.

It is expected to weaken into a low pressure area on Sunday while passing through Palawan until it dissipates.

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