Quinta weakens into LPA, all storm signals lifted across PHL

UPDATED 3:30 PM Tropical Cyclone Quinta weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) Thursday morning after dumping heavy rainfall and ravaging parts of Mindanao and the Visayas, leaving in its wake at least four people dead and displacing thousands from their homes. Weather forecasters said that Quinta, which made landfall in northern Palawan before dawn Thursday, continued to move west and is likely to dissipate within 24 hours.

 

"Kadalasan po kasi lumalakas ang bagyo kapag nasa karagatan pa. Pero dahil sa malamig na hangin na dala ng hanging amihan (northeast monsoon), tuluyan nang humina ang Quinta at naging LPA na lamang," said GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz, citing PAGASA data.

 

"Dahil dito, wala na pong nakataas na public storm weather signal sa kahit anong bahagi ng bansa," he added.

 

Better weather as Quinta dissolves

 

Fabregas added that Filipinos can expect the weather to improve as Quinta continues to weaken due to the cold weather conditions in the West Philippine Sea.

 

"Matutunaw na ito sa ating area of responsibility," he said.

 

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Quinta was estimated at 220 km west of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan as of 10 a.m.

 

However, the weather bureau still cautioned fishing boats and other small seacraft from venturing out into the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to the enhanced northeast monsoon.

 

NDRRMC lists damage

 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Quinta affected 13,521 people in four provinces. Nearly half of the affected residents remain in 18 evacuation centers.

As of Thursday morning, operations remained suspended at ports in Mindoro, Marinduque, Samar, Romblon and Puerto Princesa.