Caloy warning raised in Vis-Min

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday raised storm warning signal no. 1 over several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao due to Tropical Depression Caloy.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said Caloy was expected to gain more strength before hitting the Surigao del Sur-Davao Oriental area last night or this morning.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, signal no. 1 was hoisted over Southern Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, southern Cebu, and the southern parts of Negros Occidental and Oriental.

Also placed under storm signal no. 1 were the northern parts of Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Surigao del Sur (including Siargao), Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

Aurelio warned residents of these areas against possible flashfloods and landslides as Caloy was forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains with gusty winds in the next few days.

He said moderate to heavy rains would also persist over parts of the Visayas, including Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Leyte and Samar until Sunday.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, would have good weather apart from isolated light rains.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Caloy was spotted at 310 kilometers northeast of Davao City or 170 km northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour. It was forecast to move northwest at 15 kph.

Caloy is predicted to be at 90 kilometers west of Butuan City this afternoon; 220 kilometers northwest of Dipolog City tomorrow morning; and 100 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City by Monday morning.

Aurelio said Caloy – the third tropical cyclone to enter the country this year – is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday next week.

It was also forecast to weaken into a low-pressure area while over the Sulu Sea in the next 24 to 48 hours, Aurelio said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday suspended shipping operations in areas where storm signals were hoisted, said its spokesman, Commander Armand Balilo.

Commodore George Ursabia, PCG Southeastern Mindanao commander, also alerted rescue teams in the affected areas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said emergency relief resources have been prepared as Caloy affects parts of the southern Philippines.

Of these resources, P9.28 million accounts for standby funds, while there are 58,846 family food packs worth P15.02 million, and other food and non-food items worth P58.01 million.

Nearly 17,000 people or 3,387 families have so far been affected by Caloy in 10 barangays in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The affected barangays in Asuncion, Davao del Norte were Sagayen, Buclad, Cabaywa, Cambanogoy, Canatan, Doña Andrea, Sta. Filomena, Camansa, and Napungas, and Purok 8, Barangay Magsaysay in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon due to the northeast monsoon,” the NDRRMC said. – With Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan