Signal no. 1 up in 2 areas as LPA becomes tropical depression ‘Vinta’

MANILA, Philippines — The low pressure area in Mindanao, which has developed into a tropical depression, begins to threaten Surigao del Sur and northern Davao Oriental Wednesday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the tropical depression named ‘Vinta’ was located at east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is expected to move west at 20 kilometers per hour.

‘Vinta’ has maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kilometers per hour.

Only the provinces of Surigao del Sur and northern Davao Oriental are under signal number one.

“Scattered to widespread rains are expected over Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao within the next 24 hours,” the state weather bureau said.

‘Vinta’ is expected to hit the land between Caraga-Davao region on Thursday evening to Friday morning.

It may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Christmas eve or morning. 

Moreover, Bicol region and Quezon province including Polillo Island will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms because of the tail-end of a cold front.

There will be cloudy skies with scattered rains in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon and the rest of Calabarzon caused by northeast monsoon or ‘amihan.’

‘Urduja’ recently exited the country on Tuesday leaving 41 people dead and 45 missing, according to the figures from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

Initial assessments show that ‘Urduja’ resulted in over P543 million in damage to infrastructure. A total of 12,682 families remain in evacuation centers.