'Caloy' gains speed; 11 provinces now under Signal No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression "Caloy" has slightly accelerated as it moves closer to Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental, the state weather bureau said before Friday noon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the tropical depression was located at 330 kilometers east northeast of Davao City as of 10 a.m.

The third tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, Caloy is packed with maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and is expected to move west at 11 kilometers per hour.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted over Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Northern part of Davao del Sur including Davao City, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, North Cotabato, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (five to 15 millimeters per hour) is expected within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

PAGASA warned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under the storm signal against against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts were also advised not to venture out into the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon due to the northeast monsoon.

Caloy is expected to be at 95 kilometers northeast of Davao City by tomorrow morning and at 70 kilometers north of Cotabato City by Sunday morning. By Monday morning, it is expected to be at 150 kilometers Northwest of Zamboanga City.