Storm 'Tino' heading for RP

MANILA, Philippines - The weather bureau warned residents of northern and central Luzon to brace for more rains in the next few days as the low pressure area east of northern Luzon developed into a tropical depression yesterday afternoon.

Robert Sawi, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration senior weather forecaster, said tropical depression “Tino” was expected to make landfall in Cagayan province within the next 24 hours.

Tino will also bring heavy rains over Bicol starting tomorrow, he added.

Sawi said Tino is predicted to be 90 kilometers of Aparri, Cagayan or near Calayan Island this afternoon.

By tomorrow afternoon, it would be at 420 kms. northeast of Aparri or 330 kms west northwest of Basco, Batanes, he added.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm signal no. 1 was hoisted over Isabela, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Islands and Batanes Group of Islands.

Winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour are expected to affect these areas, Sawi said.

Tino is the 20th tropical depression to enter the country this year and the first weather disturbance this month.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Tino was spotted some 270 kms east of Tuguegarao City, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near center.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 15 kph.

Sawi said Tino would not directly affect Metro Manila, but the northeast monsoon would bring rains over the metropolis tomorrow.

Tino was not expected to intensify due to the cold weather from the northeast monsoon, he added.

However, strong winds and heavy rains are still expected in areas under storm warning signal, he said.

Sawi warned the public against big waves in the coastal areas of northern and central Luzon due to the surge of the northeast monsoon.

Sea travel is risky in these areas, he added.

Pagasa also warned the public against landslides and flashfloods, especially in areas under a public storm warning signal.

Meanwhile, the death toll from tropical storm “Santi” (international codename Mirinae) has now reached 16.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council confirmed yesterday that two more people died in Rizal province.

“A total of 11,158 families or 54,630 individuals have been reportedly affected by TS Santi,” the agency said.

“These figures are significantly higher than yesterday’s report of 2,853 families or 13,456 people. One hundred three (103) evacuation centers have also been constructed to provide temporary shelter to 3,924 families or at least 19, 356 individuals.”

In Cagayan Valley, authorities are searching for some 17 fishermen, who were reported missing in the South China Sea off the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte coast early yesterday morning.

Cagayan Valley police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian said several boats from Claveria town in Cagayan province sailed out to sea before dawn yesterday toward Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Some of the fishermen immediately returned due to bad weather, he added.

However, Damian said about 17 fishermen, all from Claveria town, have yet to return.

One of their boats had reportedly capsized off the Ilocos Norte coast, he added.

Regional field officers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development were instructed yesterday to assess the damage caused by Santi to determine the assistance needed by local governments. – James Mananghaya, Helen Flores, Charlie Lagasca, Rudy Santos