‘Vinta’ maintains strength, speed; storm signals up in Visayas, Mindanao

Severe tropical storm “Vinta” hit land shortly before 2 a.m. Friday over Cateel, Davao Oriental and was last spotted in the vicinity of Boston, moving west at 20 kilometers per hour (kph). (Satellite image from Pagasa website)

Severe tropical storm “Vinta” has maintained its strength and speed as it traversed Boston in Davao Oriental, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said early Friday.

Vinta hit land shortly before 2 a.m. Friday over Cateel, Davao Oriental and was last spotted in the vicinity of Boston, moving west at 20 kilometers per hour (kph). It blew winds of up to 90 kph near the center and has gustiness of up to 125 kph.

Pagasa raised Signal No. 2 over Siquijor and Southern Negros Oriental; Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Islands; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; Northern Davao Oriental; Compostela Valley; Davao del Norte; Camiguin; Bukidnon; Misamis Oriental; Lanao del Norte; Lanao del Sur; Misamis Occidental; Eastern Zamboanga del Norte; and Eastern Zamboanga del Sur.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Southern Leyte, southern portion of Leyte, Bohol, Southern Cebu, rest of Negros Oriental, and southern Negros Occidental, Dinagat Island, rest of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, rest of Zamboanga del Norte, rest of Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

“Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Visayas and Mindanao within 24 hours,” Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. weather bulletin.        /kga