'Queenie' kills 2; potential cyclone spotted

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression "Queenie" left at least two people dead and affected thousands more after crossing the Visayas, the state disaster response agency said on Friday.

In a report issued this morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the fatalities as Cesar Dela Cerna, 59, and Alona Baldado, of Cebu province. Both drowned in flood waters

One person was reported injured while nine others went missing, the NDRRMC added.

The agency said Queenie affected and displaced a total of 1,617 families or 7,528 people in the Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

Queenie was last spotted at 120 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City with maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Meanwhile, A low pressure area was estimated at 1,000 kilometers east southeast of Southern Mindanao.

Queenie is now over the western coast of northern Palawan and moving towards the west Philippine sea.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 remains hoisted over Palawan, the Calamian Group of Islands and Cuyo Islands. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under the said locations are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. 

Moderate to heavy rainfall amount has been estimated within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

Forecast to move west northwest at 24 kph, Queenie is expected to be at 620 kilometers west northwest of Puerto Princesa City by Saturday morning.

The tropical depression will exit the western border of the Philippine Area of Responsibility between 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.