30 areas placed under Signal 1 as tropical depression ‘Zoraida’ nears Davao

MT Satellite image November 12, 2013, Tuesday, 6:30 a.m. Screengrab from https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines—More areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 1 as the center of tropical depression “Zoraida” was spotted 192 kilometers east of Davao City, or 216 km southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, as of 5 a.m. Tuesday, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed 30 areas (from Monday’s 21) under Signal 1 (which means winds of 30-60 kilometers per hour is expected in at 36 hours):

Luzon

Cuyo Island

Northern Palawan

Calamian Group

Visayas

Siquijor

Southern Cebu

Bohol

Negros Oriental

Negros Occidental

Antique

Iloilo

Guimaras

Mindanao

Dinagat Island

Siargao Island

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Davao Oriental

Compostela Valley

Davao del Norte

Samal Island

Bukidnon

Misamis Oriental

Misamis Occidental

Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Sur

North Cotabato

Camiguin Island

Zamboanga del Norte

Zamboanga del Sur

The tropical depression, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and moving northwest-ward at 30 kph, is expected to make landfall over Davao region by midday of Tuesday, Pagasa said. It is forecast to exit by Thursday afternoon.

“The regions of Davao, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, ARMM, province of North Cotabato, central and western Visayas, Northern Palawan and the islands of Camiguin, Calamian, Cuyo and Samal will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains.”

Moderate to heavy rains were seen within the 300 kilometer-diameter of the tropical depression.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes were advised to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, Pagasa said.