Tropical Storm Quinta makes landfal over Abuyog, Leyte

(Updated 5:12 a.m., 26 December 2012) Tropical Storm Quinta made landfall over Abuyog, Leyte around 12 a.m., said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on its Twitter account. In its 11 p.m. Weather Bulletin, PAGASA said that Quinta maintained its westward movement at 24 kph. It packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. At 3 a.m. Wednesday, Quinta was in the the vicinity of Poro, Cebu. PAGASA expects Quinta to be 30 km South of Coron, Palawan by Wednesday evening. By Thursday, it is projected to be 560 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).     PAGASA raised Public Storm Signal 2 (winds of 61-100 kph expected within the next 24 hours) over:           Northern Samar           Eastern Samar         Western Samar         Leyte         Southern Leyte         Biliran         Northern Cebu including Camotes Island           Dinagat Island.   and Public Storm Signal 1 (winds of 45-60 kph expected within the next 36 hours) over:           Sorsogon         Catanduanes         Albay         Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island and Romblon         Aklan         Capiz,         Antique         Iloilo         Guimaras         Negros Provinces         Bohol         Siquijor         the rest of Cebu         Siargao         Surigao Del Norte         Camiguin   PAGASA said in its bulletin that areas within the 350-km diameter of Tropical Storm Quinta should expect rainfall of around 10 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense), The state weather bureau also warned residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under the public storm warning signals that flashfloods and landslides could occur. "Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone," it said. PAGASA also warned fishing boats and other small seacraft not to go out into the seas off eastern Luzon, and over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao, until the weather improves.   Evacuation ordered in Siargao and Dinagat   Authorities in Siargao Island on Tuesday declared a forced evacuation of residents in preparation for the possible effects of Quinta.   The order stemmed from a meeting of the city and provincial disaster risk reduction and management councils, according to a report on Radyo Mo Nationwide.   Surigao del Norte Provincial Administrator Premolito Plaza was quoted in the report as saying they expect strong winds to start affecting the area Tuesday afternoon.   In Surigao City, Vice Mayor Danilo Menor ordered preventive evacuation in areas prone to landslides and flash floods.   Local officials have also identified and prepared evacuation centers for use by affected residents.   Forced evacuation is also underway in the province of Dinagat Islands.   Coast Guard on alert   Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard placed on full alert all units in areas that may be directly affected by Quinta.   PCG commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena also directed district commanders in the areas to be affected to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for rescue and assistance activities.   Isorena reminded operators of boats with open decks and fishermen in the areas not directly affected by Quinta to exercise extra diligence in sailing, and to wear safety gear while at sea.   Disaster units ready   Disaster management officials, including military units in Visayas and Mindanao, are also on alert, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Tuesday.   NDRRMC head Benito Ramos said even civil defense units in areas affected by Typhoon Pablo are bracing for Quinta.   In a media briefing, parts of which were aired on dzBB radio, Ramos said the military in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley—among the areas worst-hit by Pablo—remain on high alert.   "Nariyan pa rin retrieval, search operations, at relief operations," he said.   He said the military's Eastern Mindanao Command is on red alert, and ready to respond to incidents in Misamis Oriental and Caraga.   The Army's 8th Infantry Division in Samar and Leyte is also ready to respond. — Shaira Panela/BM/DVM, GMA News