As storm Siony exits, new LPA slowly moves in

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Siony left minimal damage as it passed near Batanes province, according to Gov. Marilou Cayco.

Cayco said that the tropical cyclone left an estimated P4.9 million worth of agricultural damage in the province and did not affect any infrastructure.

“Fortunately, it did not affect our constituents. No damage to roads or infrastructure. No damage to water, electric and communication,” she said in Filipino at a Laging Handa press briefing.

Siony left the Philippine Area of Responsibility at midnight yesterday and is turning southwestward towards the West Philippine Sea. It is forecast to weaken into a low pressure area in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Cayco attributed the minimal effects of the cyclone to early preparations by the local government units and their residents.

“As you know about Batanes, we are the playground of storms. The disaster risk reduction management council met immediately and quickly prepared, and concerned agencies were mobilized,” she added.

In a related development, a low-pressure area off of Eastern Visayas will bring rains over the Bicol Region and Samar, and could develop into Tropical Depression Tonyo before making landfall.

In its weather advisory yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the low-pressure area could develop into Tonyo over the next 36 hours when it is near or over the Philippine landmass.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 will be hoisted over areas in its track once it develops.

PAGASA said that moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced over the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar.

Meanwhile, moderate, with at times heavy rains, may be seen over CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Mindanao and the rest of Visayas.

This could cause flooding, rain-induced landslides or sediment streamflows during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in high-hazard areas.

The low-pressure area was spotted 205 km east of Guluan, Eastern Samar at 10 a.m. yesterday.