More areas under Signal No. 1 as ‘Tino’ intensifies to severe tropical storm
Metro Manila, Philippines - More areas have been placed under Signal No. 1 “Tino” intensified into a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said it raised Signal No. 1 over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Camotes Islands in Visayas, as well as Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao.
“Tino” was last seen at 805 kilometers (km) east of Eastern Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
PAGASA forecast that “Tino” will intensify into a typhoon within the next 24 hours, with Signal No. 4 the likely highest wind alert raised.
“Tino” may make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands on late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning at a possible peak intensity of around 155 kph maximum winds.
“The possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out based on alternate scenarios and climatological data,” the bureau said.
“While the passage over the country will trigger a slight weakening, ‘Tino’ is expected to remain as a typhoon throughout its passage over the country,” it added.
The tropical cyclone is expected to cross Visayas and northern Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.
Starting Sunday afternoon, heavy rainfall will be experienced over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte.
A storm surge warning was raised over low-lying and coastal towns in Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
“Tino” and the northeast monsoon, or amihan, is seen to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern and eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Lubang Islands, Marinduque, Calaguas Islands, and Caluya Islands.
