Querubin maintains strength, Signal No. 1 in Surigao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over in Surigao del Sur on Wednesday as Tropical Depression Querubin, maintained its strength over the waters east of Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. According to the state weather bureau, intermittent rains and winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour (kph) may be expected in areas under TCWS No. 1 within the next 36 hours.

Pagasa previously placed Davao Oriental under TCWS No. 1. In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Querubin was spotted some 195 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

It has maintained a maximum sustained wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and a gustiness of up to 55 kph while moving north-northeast at 10 kph.

“During the same period, Querubin will also weaken into a remnant low-pressure area (LPA),” Pagasa explained.

Once it becomes a remnant LPA on Thursday, it is expected to cross Mindanao, Sulu Sea, and Palawan, the state weather bureau said.

Pagasa, however, is not ruling out the remnant LPA’s possible redevelopment into a tropical depression once it reaches the West Philippine Sea.