South Cebu under Storm Signal No.1

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration has placed southern Cebu under storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression "Caloy" entered Mindanao.

PAGASA weather specialist I Joey Figuracion said the storm signal was raised on the southern part of Cebu at 5 p.m. yesterday.

Figuracion said Cebuanos can expect rains and momentary gusty winds as Caloy approaches Cebu and until it leaves the province after 48 hours.

The tropical depression will then proceed to Negros Island, he said.

Figuracion said the storm will cause waves of up to 2.5 meters high, although this is not "as hazardous' as to cause the dreaded storm surge.

"Posible ang storm surge but hindi ganon kataas. Normal na lakas ng alon lang 'to kapag may ganitong klase ng bagyo," explained Figuracion.

The PAGASA officer said Caloy's winds travel as slow as 45 kilometers per hour, which does not fall under the category of tropical storm.

He said there is moderate to rough sea condition so shipping vessels especially the small crafts are advised not to venture out to sea. The Philippine Coast Guard is automatically directed to prohibit shipping vessels from traveling once the storm warning signal is raised.

Figuracion said they continue to monitor Caloy and will issue another forecast after 24 hours.

In Mindanao, eight provinces are now under public storm warning signal no. 1 due to Caloy, which developed from a low pressure area to tropical depression since yesterday morning. Some 17,000 people were ordered to do pre-emptive evacuation.

In Davao Del Norte, more than 16,000 people have been asked to move to safer ground as two river systems overflowed in Asuncion town since Caloy, which brought in torrential rains since Tuesday. Before Caloy, there were typhoons Agaton and Basyang that also hit Cebu and caused sufficient damage.  —BRP (FREEMAN)