'Zoraida' makes landfall over Davao Oriental; 30 areas under storm signal

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATED) While several areas in the Visayas are still reeling from the devastation of Super Typhoon "Yolanda," Tropical Depression "Zoraida" made landfall over Mindanao on Tuesday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Zoraida, the 25th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this year, made landfall over Caraga town, Davao Oriental around 9 a.m., PAGASA weather forecaster Manny Mendoza said in a phone-patch interview on ANC.

The weather bureau also issued a rainfall advisory at 8:23 a.m., saying moderate to occasionally heavy rains are affecting several areas in northern Mindanao and Davao region, which may persist for the next two to three hours.

In an earlier bulletin, PAGASA said Zoraida is bearing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and is forecast to move northwest at 30 kph.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is estimated within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

PAGASA said residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is also risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

Due to Zoraida, public storm warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted over the following areas:

Luzon
Cuyo Island
Northern Palawan
The Calamian Group

Visayas
Siquijor
Southern Cebu
Bohol
Negros Oriental
Negros Occidental
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras

Mindanao
Dinagat Province
Siargao Island
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Davao Oriental
Compostela Valley
Davao del Norte
Samal Island
Bukidnon
Misamis Oriental
Misamis Occidental
Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Sur
North Cotabato
Camiguin Island
Northern Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Sur

Zoraida hit land just days after Yolanda swept through the Visayas and pounded several areas with its powerful winds.

But unlike the super typhoon, Yolanda won't likely generate huge storm surges that slammed into some areas in the Visayas, according to Mendoza.

PAGASA said Zoraida is expected to be at 123 kilometers south southwest of Iloilo City by tomorrow morning and at 517 kilometers West of Coron, Palawan by Thursday morning.

By Thursday afternoon, Zoraida is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility or at 890 km west northwest of Coron, Palawan.