Domeng changes course, won’t make landfall

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression Domeng (international name Peipah) changed course yesterday and is no longer expected to make landfall in the next three days, the state weather bureau said.

Jori Loiz, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Domeng slowed down and changed its direction from west northwest to northwest due to a high-pressure area.

It was earlier predicted to make landfall over Surigao del Sur tomorrow evening.

Loiz said the disturbance could still regain strength while over the sea.

But based on PAGASA’s latest forecast, no areas of the country will be affected by the weather system in the next 36 hours.

Loiz, however, said there is still a possibility that it will pass near Samar or Northeastern Mindanao.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Domeng was spotted at 510 kilometers east northeast of Davao City with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour.

It was forecast to move northwest slowly at five kph.

It was expected to be at 360 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur this morning; 230 km east of Hinatuan tomorrow morning and 190 km north northeast of Hinatuan by Friday morning.

Domeng is the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

Heightened alert

But even if Domeng will no longer make landfall, all Coast Guard districts in southeastern Mindanao are still on heightened alert for possible search and rescue operations in case of disaster.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also advised yesterday all fishing companies and local fishermen not to venture out to sea.        – With Jaime Laude