‘Onyok’ comes nearer to PH, threatens Caraga region

A man holds on to his umbrella during a slight rain brought about by typhoon Melor (local name “Nona”) at suburban Taguig city, southeast of Manila, Philippines, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015. AP

Tropical depression “Onyok” on Thursday inched closer to the Philippines and poses a threat over the Caraga region, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5 pm bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Onyok was spotted 515 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 p.m.

Pagasa said Onyok had a maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and was moving west at 15 kph.

Public storm signal number 1 was raised over the provinces of Surigao del Sur including Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Province, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Misamis Occidental.

In a press briefing, weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said Onyok is not expected to intensify as it will make landfall over the Caraga region on Friday.

Meanwhile, Aurelio said tropical depression “Nona” (international name Melor) has weakened at sea and is now a low pressure area (LPA).