All signals lifted as Dante moves northwestward over West Philippine Sea

All Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals were lifted on Thursday as Tropical Storm Dante, despite maintaining its strength, continued moving northwestward over the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Dante is expected to continue moving generally north-northwestward or northward in the next 12 hours over the West Philippine Sea, before turning north-northeastward on Friday morning and northeastward on Friday afternoon or evening.

Dante is expected to be over the Bashi Channel on Friday afternoon or evening, and is forecast to remain a tropical storm in the next 12 hours.

Dante will weaken into a tropical depression on Friday and into a remnant low on Saturday.

Floods, fatalities

Dante has caused floods, soil erosions, and power interruptions in different parts of the country.

As of Thursday noon, four people have been reported killed while seven were missing due to Dante.

The dead and the missing were reported from in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao, and Soccsksargen regions, based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's (NDRRMC) latest report.

The report said 45,456 persons or 9,831 families were affected by the tropical storm in 89 barangays in Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions. Of which, 12,071 persons or 3,090 families were staying in 104 evacuation centers.

In Davao de Oro, six houses were reported damage—three homes were totally damaged while the other three were partially damaged.

A total of 11 road sections and 3 bridges were affected in Cental Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions. Of which, two roads and three bridges are still not passable.

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.

Floods

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.

Dante's location

As of 10 a.m., PAGASA said the center of Tropical Storm Dante was  estimated based on all available data 205 km west-northwest of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, or 190 km  west-southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

It has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness up to 90km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa; and moving northwestward at 35 km/h with gale-force  winds extending outward up to 50km from the center.

Gale warning was issued over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon (2.6 to 4.5 m), meaning sea travel will be risky for small sea crafts.

The western seaboard of northern Luzon is meanwhile expected to have moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 m).

PAGASA advised mariners of small seacraft to take precautionary measures. Inexperienced mariners were told to avoid navigating. —Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News