Signal No. 2 up in 2 areas as Severe Tropical Storm Tino intensifies

Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over two areas as Severe Tropical Storm Tino continued to intensify over the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said Sunday evening.

In its 11 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the state weather bureau said that Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) has continued to intensify as it crosses westward. As of 10 p.m., its center was estimated to be 605 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa.

It is moving west at 30 km/h, with strong to storm-force winds extending up to 240 km from the center. 

It may make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar, Leyte, or Dinagat Islands late evening on Monday or early morning Tuesday, and cross the Visayas before emerging over the West Philippine Sea  on Wednesday morning.

But before this, Tino may reach typhoon category within the next 12 hours. "Rapid intensification within the next 48 hours is likely," PAGASA said. "The possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out based on alternate scenarios and climatological data. While its interaction with the terrain will trigger a slight weakening, Tino is expected to remain as a typhoon throughout its passage over the country."

Storm signals

Tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) have been raised over the following areas:

SIGNAL NO. 2

Visayas:

• The southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes)

Mindanao:

• Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands and Dinagat Islands

SIGNAL NO. 1

Luzon:

• The southern portion of Sorsogon (Barcelona, Bulusan, Magallanes, Gubat, Santa Magdalena, Casiguran, Juban, Bulan, Irosin, Matnog) and Masbate including Ticao Island

Visayas:

• The rest of Eastern Samar,
• Northern Samar,
• Samar,
• Biliran,
• Leyte,
• Southern Leyte,
• Cebu including Camotes Islands and Bantayan Islands,
• Bohol,
• the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Bais City, City of Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose),
• the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Isabela, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Enrique B. Magalona, Toboso, Valladolid, Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, San Enrique, City of Kabankalan, Hinigaran, Bacolod City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, City of Escalante, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Silay City, Pulupandan, City of Himamaylan, City of Victorias, City of Talisay, Pontevedra, Manapla),
• Guimaras,
• the northern and central portions of Iloilo (Calinog, New Lucena, Maasin, Estancia, Batad, Oton, Concepcion, Pavia, Dueñas, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Ajuy, Iloilo City, Anilao, San Dionisio, San Miguel, Mina, Santa Barbara, Barotac Viejo, Leganes, Carles, Dingle, Zarraga, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Alimodian, Dumangas, San Rafael, San Enrique, Badiangan, Banate, City of Passi, Pototan, Lambunao, Lemery, Sara, Janiuay), and
• Capiz

Mindanao:

• The rest of Surigao del Norte,
• the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, City of Tandag, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait),
• the northeastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat), and
• the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes)

Storm surge warning

In an 8 p.m. advisory, PAGASA also warned that there will be a "high risk of life-threatening storm surge" due to Tino within the next 48 hours.

A possible storm surge of more than 3 meters in height could occur in Eastern Samar within this period, PAGASA cautioned.

Storm surges of 2.1 to 3 meters' height could happen in Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar (Western Samar), and Surigao del Norte, while storm surges 1 to 2 meters high could occur in Agusan del Norte, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Camiguin, Capiz, Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Masbate, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Samar (Western Samar), Siquijor, Sorsogon, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

Filipinos in these areas are urged to stay away from the coast or the beach and to cancel marine activities.

Walang pasok

Classes for Monday, November 3 have been suspended in some areas due to the storm. Metro Manila police are also considering extending their full alert status due to the storm.

Airports, seaports, and roads are also busy as many Filipinos return from the provinces at the end of the Undas break. — BM, GMA Integrated News