Sarah weakens into LPA, leaves Philippine

MANILA,Philippines — Tropical depression Sarah weakened into a low-pressure area as it left the country yesterday morning.

Based on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s weather bulletin issued at 11 a.m. yesterday, Sarah exited the Philippine area of responsibility at 6 a.m. and has weakened into a low-pressure area at 8 a.m. 

As of 10 a.m. the low-pressure area was at  635 kilometers north-northeast of Basco, Batanes, outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

This prompted PAGASA to lift the gale warnings across all seaboards in the country.

PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the country can expect cold but fair weather in the next three days, with the northeast monsoon prevailing over the regions.

Luzon, however, may experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains due to localized thunderstorms.

The Visayas and Mindanao regions are expected to experience fair weather, with possible isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon or at night.

Cagayan sustained at least P618 million in infrastructure and agriculture damaged during the onslaught of Typhoons Ramon and Sarah, Gov. Manuel Mamba said yesterday.

The governor cited the report  of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) which showed storm damage inflicted on provincial roads, communal irrigation facilities and electric power lines of the Cagayan Electric Cooperative reaching P597.5 million.

The PDRRMO pegged at least P19.8 million worth of damage to crops, while P1.4 million in damages were reported with livestock.

Mamba said at least 16,000 persons from 20 municipalities were evacuated by authorities to safer ground during the successive onslaughts.  – With Raymund Catindig