Updateand 23 areas in Visayas, Mindanao under Signal no.1, TD ‘Seniang’ slightly gains strength

MANILA (PNA) – At least 23 areas in Visayas and Mindanao are now under public storm warning signal (PSWS) No. 1 as tropical depression Seniang” has slightly gain strength and continues to move closer towards northeastern Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday.In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that public storm warning Signal No. 1 (Winds of 30-60 kph expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Camotes Island, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor in the Visayas and Dinagat Province, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, northern part of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Camiguin in Mindanao.”These areas will have occasional rains with occasional gusty winds,” it warned.The residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS#1 as well as over Eastern Visayas and the rest of Mindanao especially Caraga Region are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.The estimated rainfall amount is from 7 – 15 mm per hour (moderate - heavy) within the 300 km diameter of the Tropical Depression.In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada said that due to presence of TD Seniang the ocean waves may reach up to 4 meters.He said that as of 4 p.m. tropical depression Seniang was estimated based on all available data at 150 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (8.2°N, 127.7°E), gains maximum winds from 45 kph on Sunday morning to 55 kph in the afternnon near the center.He said Seniang movement also change from westward to west northwest while its speed accelerate from 11 kph to 13 kph.With its speed and movement expected to make landfall by Monday morning between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. in the vicinity of Tandag, Surigao del Sur.He added TD Seniang is also expected to make landfall south of Bohol on Monday afternoon then by Tuesday (Dec.30) will make another landfall south of Negros Oriental.Cada said TD Seniang is expected to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Jan.1 in the afternoon or Jan. 2 early morning headed towards Sulu sea.Cada noted TD Seniang will not affect part Luzon due to the strong presence of northeast monsoon.He said northeast monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon such as Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos Region and Central Luzon will have cloudy skies with light rains and the rest of Luzon including Metro Manila will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.Due to the effects of tropical depression Seniang” and the Northeast Monsoon will cause rough to very rough sea conditions over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and of Visayas, Cada said.Fisherfolk and those using small sea craft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards, it warned.In its advisory, PAGASA said the regions of Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas and the provinces of Negros Occidental, Leyte, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte and Zamboanga Del Norte will have rains with gusty wind. Bicol Region and the rest of Visayas and of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from northeast to north over the rest of Mindanao with moderate to rough seas. (PNA)CTB/CLTC