‘Vinta’ increases strength; more areas under Signal No. 2

More areas were placed under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm “Vinta” increased its strength, the state weather bureau said on Thursday afternoon.

Surigao del Norte, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Northern Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur were placed under Signal No. 2, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Southern Leyte, southern portion of Leyte, Southern Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Southern Negros Occidental and Southern Negros Oriental Dinagat Island, Misamis Occidental, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Rest of Davao Oriental, Northern Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Vinta is expected to make landfall in Surigao del Sur between late Thursday to early Friday.

The storm blew winds of 80 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 110 kph.

Vinta was last spotted 200 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving 21 kph westward.

Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula are expected o have scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains.