#SeniangPH now a tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines – State weather service PAGASA announced Monday, December 29, that Tropical storm Seniang was estimated to be in the vicinity of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, carrying maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, as well as gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

Tropical storm Seniang is forecast to move west northwest at 11 km/h.

PAGASA notes that CARAGA and the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bohol and Siquijor will experience stormy weather. The rest of Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas, Davao Region and the provinces of Negros, Leyte and Zamboanga del Norte will have rains with gusty winds. Coastal waters along the mentioned areas areas will be rough to very rough.

Meanwhile, the Bicol region and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies, as well as light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Ilocos Region and Central Luzon will have cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains.

PAGASA also declared Storm Signal Number 2 over the following areas.

Visayas:

• Bohol 
• Siquijor

Mindanao:

• Surigao del Sur
• Surigao del Norte
• Siargao Island
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin

Those in areas under Storm Signal No 2 should expect winds of 61-100 km/h in at least 24 hours, along with stormy weather and heavy to intense rains. Residents in low lying or mountainous areas should be on alert against possible flash flooding and landslides.

Storm Signal No 1 is placed under the following areas.

Visayas:

• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Camotes Island
• Cebu
• Negros Oriental 
• Negros Occidental

Mindanao:

• Dinagat Province
• Compostela Valley
• northern part of Davao Oriental
• Davao del Norte
• Bukidnon
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Zamboanga del Norte

Those in areas under Storm Signal No 1 should expct moderate to heavy rain with occasional gusty winds. Residents in low lying or mountainous areas should be on alert against possible flash flooding and landslides.

The next bulletin will be issued at 11 am today. – Rappler.com