THE state weather bureau has lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal it earlier raised in several provinces, as Tropical Depression “Lannie” has moved northwestward over the West Philippine Sea away from the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that the enhanced easterly flow north and southwesterly flow south of the tropical depression “may still bring occasionally gusts reaching near gale to at times gale-force in strength over extreme northern Luzon and the coastal and upland/mountainous areas of Cordillera Administrative Region, mainland Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro in the next 24 hours.”
It said that as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, the center of Lannie was spotted at 165 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h), gusts of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa. It was moving west northwestward at 25 km/h.
Pagasa said Lannie was forecast to continue to move away from the country until Wednesday, October 6.
Based on the forecast track, it will likely exit the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday afternoon or evening, and will move generally northwestward toward Hainan Island.
Pagasa said Lannie will likely remain a tropical depression Tuesday, October 5.
“Slight improvement in environmental conditions will allow it to intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow afternoon or evening. Further intensification is possible as the cyclone moves towards southern China,” Pagasa said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.
Today, October 5, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Palawan, including Calamian, Kalayaan, and Cuyo Islands, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also possible over Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the rest of Mimaropa.
“Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are likely especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps,” said Pagasa.
The weather bureau also raised gale warning over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, as the tropical depression is enhancing the easterly flow.
Moderate to rough seas will prevail over the rest of coastal waters of the country, it said, stressing that these conditions are risky for those using small seacrafts.
“Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” the weather bulletin stated.
Lannie has so far made 10 landfalls in the country. The following are the areas where the tropical depression hit land:
October 4, 2021
1. Bucas Grande Island, Surigao del Norte -- 4:30 a.m.
2. Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands -- 5 a.m.
3. Liloan, Southern Leyte – 7:30 a.m.
4. Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte – 8 a.m.
5. Mahanay Island, Talibon, Bohol – 12:30 p.m.
6. Banacon Island, Jetafe, Bohol - 12:45 p.m.
7. San Fernando, Cebu - 1:45 p.m.
8. Guihulngan, Negros Oriental - 3:30 p.m.
October 5, 2021
9. Iloc Is., Linapacan, Palawan -- 6:15 a.m.
10. El Nido, Palawan -- 6:45 a.m.
(LMY)