TROPICAL Depression “Lannie” was forecast to turn more northwestward in the next 12 hours and may make landfall in the vicinity of northern mainland Palawan or Calamian Islands Tuesday morning, October 5, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea shortly thereafter.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) also saw a close approach or landfall in the vicinity of the Cuyo Archipelago within the next six hours as Lannie traversed the northern Sulu Sea.

Pagasa said though that Lannie will remain a weak tropical depression until Tuesday, adding that the cyclone will likely decelerate and move more northward on Wednesday, October 6, and Thursday, October 7.

As of 10 p.m. Monday, the eye of Lannie was located at 120 kilometers south

southeast of Cuyo in Palawan, packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa. It was moving westward at 35 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 was still hoisted over the following areas:

LUZON

The southern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, San Fernando, Magdiwang, Santa

Maria, Odiongan, Alcantara, Ferrol, Looc, Santa Fe, San Jose), the southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Bongabong), the southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay), and the northern portion of Palawan (El Nido, Taytay,

Dumaran, Araceli) including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

VISAYAS

Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (Bais City, Mabinay, City

of Bayawan, Basay, City of Tanjay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, City of Guihulngan, Vallehermoso, Canlaon City)

Pagasa said that based on the forecast track of Lannie, the cyclone will likely exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday evening, October 6.

“During this period, the depression will gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category by Thursday morning,” it said.

It added that beyond Thursday, Lannie may start accelerating while turning more northwestward over the West Philippine Sea toward southern China.

The cyclone was also forecast to continue intensifying during this period and may be upgraded to severe tropical storm category by Friday, October 7.

Pagasa warned the public against moderate to rough seas over the coastal waters of the country, especially in areas under TCWS 1 in the next 24 hours.

It also said that today until Tuesday morning, moderate to heavy rains are likely over Western Visayas, Caraga, and Mimaropa, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

Strong winds (i.e., strong breeze to near gale conditions) with occasional gusts will also be experienced within any of the areas under TCWS 1, added Pagasa. (LMY)