Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 remains hoisted as tropical depression “Vicky” continues to move closer to northern and central Palawan for a possible second and final landfall Saturday night.
Vicky made its first landfall over Baganga, Davao Oriental around 2 p.m. last Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Vicky at 185 kilometers (kms) east-southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Due to its anticipated landfall over Palawan, tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 is still hoisted over the northern and central portions of Palawan, (Araceli, Dumaran, Taytay, El Nido, San Vicente, Roxas, Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, and Sofronio Espanola, including Calamian, Cuyo, Cagayancillo, and Kalayaan Islands).
Vicky has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
PAGASA said strong winds may persist in areas under Signal No. 1.
Several areas in Luzon and Visayas may also experience strong breeze due to the surge of northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may prevail over Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Quezon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Isabela, Aurora, Marinduque, and the northern and central portions of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, Saturday.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also persist over Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Metro Manila, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and the rest of mainland Cagayan Valley, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, the rest of Palawan, Abra, Benguet, and Visayas.
Tomorrow, heavy to intense rains may still affect Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may persist over Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Oriental Mindoro, Kalayaan Islands, and the rest of mainland Cagayan Valley.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will also continue over Metro Manila, Eastern Visayas, Bulacan, Dinagat Islands, Abra, Benguet, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and the rest of Palawan.
PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant against possible flooding or flash floods and rain-induced landslides especially during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall particularly in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, as well as in areas that have already received significant rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks.
Adjacent or nearby areas that may not have been directly affected by the rainfall were urged to remain alert due to the possibility of flooding from surface runoff or swelling of river channels.
The State weather bureau said Vicky may stay as a tropical depression while crossing the Philippine archipelago, but may intensify into a tropical storm once it reaches the West Philippine Sea.
It is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon or evening. (Ellalyn Ruiz)
