Domeng weakens, maintains speed

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression Domeng (international name Peipah) weakened yesterday but maintained its speed and direction toward Surigao del Sur.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, Domeng was spotted 370 kilometers east of Hinatuan.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Domeng’s strength weakened from 55 kilometers per hour maximum sustained winds to 45 kph. It was forecast to move northwest at 5 kph.

Domeng will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains, averaging five to 15 millimeters per hour, within its 400-kilometer radius, PAGASA said.

The weather bureau predicted it to be 280 kms east- northeast of Hinatuan today and 210 km northeast of Hinatuan tomorrow morning.

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

PAGASA said Central and Eastern Visayas as well as Caraga and Davao regions will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.   – Helen Flores Meanwhile,  accuweather.com reported that Domeng’s slow movement “will lead to several days of locally heavy rainfall.”

“Flooding will become a more widespread problem if this occurs as torrential rain will continue for several days across more of the Philippines. Mudslides may ensue in the higher terrain,” it said.