Dante moving toward Japan

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression Dante continues to move away from the country, while a low-pressure area (LPA) spotted off Palawan dissolved yesterday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Based on the 4 p.m. weather bulletin yesterday, PAGASA forecaster Glaiza Escolar said Dante was expected to move toward the southern part of Japan.

Escolar said Dante’s exit though would be delayed as its speed has decreased. It was initially expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday morning, but with its speed reduced to 15 kilometers per hour (kph), this may happen by Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Escolar said the LPA that developed near Puerto Princesa City in Palawan yesterday morning dissolved between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. as it was not able to sustain its wind circulation.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Dante was estimated at 730 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move northeast at 11 kph.

The Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, the Caraga and Mimaropa regions, and the Visayas will be cloudy with moderate to occasionally heavy rains that may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The Bicol region and the rest of Mindanao will be cloudy with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over northern Luzon with moderate to occasionally rough coastal waters. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate from the southwest with slight to moderate seas. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier yesterday issued an alert warning in Palawan due to the presence of the LPA.

NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Eduardo del Rosario said the public, as well as all provincial and local disaster units in Palawan, must brace for possible flooding or landslides.

Cooperation sought

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena has ordered the agency’s 12 districts, 69 stations and 180 detachments to increase their vigilance amid the weather disturbances.

Isorena directed district commanders, especially those affected by the two weather disturbances, to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for rescue and assistance activities.

Port inspectors were told to remind operators of small vessels, motorboats and fishing boats of the regulation prohibiting them from sailing to areas with rough sea conditions.  –With Jaime Laude