‘Vinta’ heading towards E. Mindanao; out of PAR by Christmas Day

Tropical storn “Vinta” maintains speed and direction towards eastern Mindanao. Typhoon signals up in at least 20 provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. (Satellite image from Pagasa website)

Typhoon Signal No. 2 was raised over five areas in Mindanao as tropical storm “Vinta” maintained its speed and track towards the eastern part of the region, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.

The state weather bureau placed under Signal No. 2 the provinces of Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Islands; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; and Northern Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Southern Leyte, southern portion of Leyte, Southern Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol in Visayas; as well as Dinagat Island, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, rest of Davao Oriental, Northern Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur in Mindanao.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains are expected over Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga Region, Davao Region, and Northern Mindanao within 24 hours, Pagasa said.

Vinta is expected to hit land over the Caraga-Davao region between late Thursday evening and early Friday.

The storm packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Vinta was last located 340 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west at 18 kph.

The storm is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday, Christmas Day.              /kga