Tropical Depression Kabayan Approaches Mindanao with Sustained Strength

Manila: Tropical Depression Kabayan continues its approach towards the eastern region of Mindanao, maintaining its strength as it nears. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of their 5 p.m. bulletin, Kabayan was located 385 kilometers east of Davao City and 315 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. In the Visayas, the affected regions include Southern Leyte, Leyte, portions of Samar and Eastern Samar, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor. In Mindanao, the signal covers Dinagat Islands, Surigao provinces, parts of Davao Oriental, Agusan provinces, Misamis provinces, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Davao de Oro, Lanao provinces, portions of Davao del Norte, Davao City, and parts of Cotabato and Maguindanao. PAGASA has indicated the possibility of additional areas being placed under TCWS No. 1 in subsequent bulletins.

Surigao del Sur, still recovering from a recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake, has been placed on red alert by Governor Alexander Pimentel. Precautionary measures include forced evacuations, activation of emergency centers, ensuring evacuation center availability, and suspension of work in both government and private sectors for Monday.

PAGASA has also warned of the potential for heavy rainfall in the eastern part of Luzon on Monday due to the shear line coinciding with Kabayan’s passage. Kabayan is expected to follow a westward or west-northwestward path across the Philippine archipelago over the next two days and may maintain its strength until landfall in Mindanao. There is a possibility of the depression intensifying into a tropical storm before making landfall.

The forecast predicts landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental late Sunday night or early Monday, followed by crossing Mindanao’s rugged terrain and emerging over the Bohol Sea or Sulu Sea by Monday afternoon. Kabayan will then proceed across the Sulu Sea, potentially making another landfall in central or southern Palawan by Tuesday morning and emerging over the Philippine Sea by Tuesday noon or early afternoon.