Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18) — The state weather bureau downgraded Kabayan into a low pressure area (LPA) on Monday afternoon, lifting storm signals previously raised over various parts of the country.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said heavy rainfall due to the LPA was forecast over the following areas:
– 100-200 millimeters of accumulated rainfall: Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
– 50-100 mm: Central Visayas, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Davao City, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar, and the rest of Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.
PAGASA warned of flooding and rain-induced landslides in areas that are highly susceptible to those hazards.
PAGASA said the shear line, coinciding with the passage of Kabayan, may bring heavy rainfall over the eastern portion of southern Luzon. The surge of the northeast monsoon will also bring gusty conditions for the next two days over parts of Luzon and Visayas.
Around 6,700 people in Mindanao were displaced due to the combined effects of the bad weather.
Kabayan, internationally called Jelawat, turned into a tropical storm at its peak but was downgraded to a tropical depression after it made landfall over Brgy. Concepcion in Manay, Davao Oriental on Monday morning.
PAGASA said it weakened into an LPA at 2:30 p.m, and is now called a remnant low or a former tropical cyclone. The weather system was last spotted in the vicinity of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
The LPA is forecast to move generally northwestward or west-northwestward as it traverses the Philippine archipelago over the next two days.
\”Kabayan will continue to cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, and emerge over the Sulu Sea between this afternoon and evening,\” PAGASA said. \”Afterwards, a slight improvement in the environmental conditions may allow this disturbance to reorganize and re-develop into a tropical depression.\”
