Vicky exits PAR; Signal No. 1 still up over Kalayaan group of islands

Tropical Depression Vicky exited the Philippine area of responsibility at 2 p.m. Sunday, but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has remained hoisted over the Kalayaan Islands, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA likewise said Vicky was seen to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours, but was less likely to reach the severe tropical storm category within the forecast period.

Vicky was last spotted 70 kilometers southeast of Kalayaan, Palawan packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. 

Vicky continued to move westwards at 15 kph.

Hazards

PAGASA said Kalayaan Islands residents must expect winds of 30 to 60 kph or intermittent rains as well as strong breeze to near gale conditions within the next 36 hours.

Meanwhile, gusty conditions were forecast to prevail over most of Luzon, especially in coastal and mountainous areas, due to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan.

PAGASA likewise said the combined effects of Amihan and Vicky would cause rough to high seas over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and rough to very rough seas in parts of Zambales, Lubang Island, Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay including Rapu-Rapu Islands, and Sorsogon.

Moderate to rough seas were also forecast over parts of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Eastern Samar including Homonhon Island, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur.

“Mariners of small sea crafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions,” PAGASA said.

Weather outlook

The tail-end of a frontal system and Vicky were expected to cause moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over mainland Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, northern portion of Palawan including Calamian Islands, and Kalayaan Islands, as well as light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Babuyan Islands and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region until Sunday night.

On Monday, moderate to heavy rains should be expected over the Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and the northern portion of Quezon while light to moderate with at times heavy rains will prevail over Batanes, Kalayaan Islands, and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

At least 3,500 people were evacuated in Cagayan and Isabela provinces due to heavy flooding caused by Vicky, according to Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba. —LBG, GMA News