Portions of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales under storm signals as Dante moves north-northwestward

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is still hoisted over the western portion of Pangasinan due to Tropical Storm Dante, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Thursday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 2 covers the areas of Dasol, Mabini, Burgos, Alaminos City, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, Anda in Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is up over the following areas:

• central portion of Pangasinan (Bugallon, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Calasiao, San Carlos City, Aguilar, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Labrador, Infanta, San Fabian, Sual)
• northwestern portion of Tarlac (San Clemente),
• northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Masinloc, Palauig, Candelaria, Iba)

At 7 a.m., Dante was located 145 kilometer West Northwest of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness up to 90 km/h, PAGASA said.

Moving north northwestward at 35 km/h, Dante will keep its direction in the next 12 hours before turning north northeastward on Thursday afternoon or evening and northeastward on Friday morning.

Dante is expected to be over the Bashi Channel on Friday afternoon or evening.

The tropical storm is seen to downgrade into a tropical depression within the next 12 hours and into a remnant low on Saturday, PAGASA said.

3 dead, 1 missing

Dante has caused floods, soil erosions, and power interruptions in different parts of the country, according to Unang Balita reports on Thursday

As of Wednesday, three people in Mindanao have been reported dead while one was missing due to Dante, disaster officials said.

Landslides, flooding, flashfloods, and soil erosions were reported in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Soccsksargen Region, according to the  the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Meanwhile, at least 2,642 people or 566 families were affected by the storm in 18 barangays in Davao and Soccsksargen regions. Of which, 604 persons or 150 families were staying in evacuation centers. 

In Odiongan, Romblon, a river swelled, nearly submerging a bridge. Flood in the area rose to around six feet and residents had to cross the current using a rope to evacuate from their homes.

In Tablas Island, around 20,000 households in the towns of Santa Fe, Ferrol, and Looc experienced power interruptions as strong winds slanted power posts and fallen trees damaged electric cables.

Due to huge waves, a vessel ran aground a shoal in Looc. Its 21 crew members have taken temporary shelter in a covered court.

In Nabas, Aklan, floods damaged some cottages and attractions in a resort. Soil erosions and floods in rice fields were also reported.

In Batangas City, some roads were submerged in flood, giving motorists with small vehicles a hard time to travel. Some homes were also flooded.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News