Some areas in eastern part of Philippines under Signal No. 2 due to 'Dante'

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:18 p.m.) — State weather bureau PAGASA hoisted Signal No. 2 over areas on the eastern portion of the archipelago as Tropical Storm Dante (Choi-wan) moved over the Philippine Sea Tuesday morning.

'Dante' was last spotted 235 kilometers east of Maasin City in Southern Leyte, packing peak winds of 75 km per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

It was heading west at 25 kph.

Wind signals

Signal No. 2 (damaging gale force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)

Luzon
•    Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island
•    Albay
•    Sorsogon

Visayas
•    Eastern Samar
•    Samar
•    Northern Samar
•    Biliran
•    Leyte
•    Southern Leyte

Mindanao
•    Dinagat Islands
•    Siargao
•    Bucas Grande Islands

Signal No. 1 (strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)

Luzon
•    Quezon, including Polillo Islands
•    Camarines Norte
•    Camarines Sur
•    Catanduanes
•    Marinduque
•    Romblon

Visayas
•    Aklan
•    Capiz
•    Northern and central portion of Iloilo (Lambunao, Janiuay, Dumangas, Zarraga, New Lucena, Pototan, Mina, Badiangan, Dueñas, Calinog, Bingawan, City of Passi, San Enrique, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Banate, Anilao, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Lemery, Ajuy, Sara, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Batad, Estancia, Balasan, Carles)
•    Northern portion of Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, City of Talisay, Silay City, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Murcia, Bacolod City)
•    Bohol
•    Northern and central portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Cordova, Toledo City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, City of Naga, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Aloguinsan, City of Carcar) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands 

Mindanao
•    Rest of Surigao del Norte
•    Surigao del Sur
•    Agusan del Norte
•    Agusan del Sur
•    Northeastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Talisayan, Balingoan, Medina),
•    Camiguin

What to expect

Based on the forecast track, the center of “Dante” is expected to make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Leyte between Tuesday afternoon and evening.
But PAGASA said the tropical strom “will move more west northwestward or westward in the near-term, which may bring the area of initial landfall over Leyte or Dinagat Islands-Siargao Islands area.”

It is forecast to maintain its strength prior to landfall. “Dante” may weaken into a tropical depression on Friday.

The state weather bureau said “Dante” will bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over the following areas:

•    Surigao del Norte
•    Dinagat Islands
•    Leyte
•    Southern Leyte
•    Biliran
•    Samar
•    Eastern Samar

Moderate to heavy rains are expected over these areas:

•    Surigao del Sur
•    Agusan del Norte
•    Northern Samar
•    Bohol
•    Northern portion of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
•    Sorsogon
•    Masbate

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are likely over:

•    Catanduanes
•    Albay
•    Camarines Sur
•    Misamis Oriental
•    Agusan del Sur
•    Camiguin
•    Bukidnon
•    Davao Region
•    SOCCSKSARGEN
•    Rest of Central Visayas

Rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 4.5 meters) will be experienced along the seaboards of areas where Signal No. 2 is hoisted, and the eastern seaboard of Caraga.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas (1.2 m to 3 m) are expected along the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental and the remaining seaboards of areas where Signal No. 1 is in effect. — Gaea Katreena Cabico