By DAVAO TODAY
Davao City – Storm signal no. 2 was declared this morning by weather bureau PAGASA in three provinces of Caraga and in Eastern Visayas as Typhoon Yolanda entered into the Philippine Area of Responsibility Wednesday evening.
PAGASA announced on Thursday 5 am that the eye of Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) is spotted as of 4 am today at 822 kilometer east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. (8.4°N, 133.8°E).
PAGASA declared storm signal no. 2 in Caraga provinces of Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, northern part of Surigao del Sur and northern part of Agusan del Norte.
Three Visayas provinces under signal no. 2 : Eastern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte.
The bureau said winds of 60 to 100 kph are expected in at least 24 hours in these areas,
Signal number 1 was declared in Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, rest of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and rest of Surigao del Sur; in Luzon in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao Is., Burias Is., Masbate, Romblon, Marinduque and Southern Quezon; in Visayas in Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and Orienrtal, Cebu, Camotes Is., Bohol, Siquijor, Leyte, Biliran Is. and Northern Samar.
Signal 2 means winds of 30 to 60 kph in at least 36 hours.
PAGASA forecast said Yolanda “is expected to be at 240 km East Southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Friday morning, and in the vicinity of Romblon Island by Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, it is expected to be at 740 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan.”
They also projected moderate to heavy with occasional intense rains affecting Misamis Oriental, Caraga region, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, North Cotabato and Camiguin today.
Forecast from Project Noah of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said 539 municipalities all over the country will be hit by rainfall of about 60 to 100 mm in a three hour rainfall.
These include twenty-three towns in Surigao del Norte and in Carascal, Surigao del Sur.
PAGASA advised that sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the seaboard of Central Luzon.
They also advised the public and the disaster risk reduction and management council to monitor developments and take appropriate actions for the safety.
ClimateX Philippines tweeted this morning that intense rain has hit San Francisco, Agusan del Sur and Sulu; and expects rain in Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
In Davao region, the provincial government of Davao del Norte suspended all classes in all levels today until Friday. The Mayor of Tagum City likewise declared suspension of classes.
Romulo Tagalo, director of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said “they are not taking (Yolanda) for granted.” (davaotoday.com)
Mindanao, Typhoon Yolanda, Yolanda
