Crising strengthened from a tropical depression into a tropical storm at 8 am on Thursday, May 13, as it continued to head for the Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 am bulletin on Thursday that Crising now has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

Crising’s international name will be designated by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center Tokyo-Typhoon Center, which is run by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The tropical storm was last spotted 330 kilometers east of Davao City, moving west northwest at only 10 km/h.

With Crising intensifying, Signal No. 2 has been raised in parts of Mindanao, in addition to Signal No. 1.

Signal No. 2 (61 to 120 km/h)

• southern part of Surigao del Sur (Lingig, Bislig City)
• southeastern part of Agusan del Sur (Trento, Santa Josefa)
• northern part of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel, Baganga)
• northeastern part of Davao de Oro (Compostela, Montevista, Monkayo, New Bataan)

Signal No. 1 (30 to 60 km/h)

• rest of Surigao del Sur
• rest of Agusan del Sur
• rest of Davao Oriental
• rest of Davao de Oro
• Davao del Norte
• Davao City
• eastern part of Bukidnon (Impasug-ong, Malaybalay City, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Quezon, Valencia City, Lantapan, Maramag, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Damulog)

PAGASA said gale-force winds are expected in areas under Signal No. 2, while strong breeze to near-gale conditions will be experienced in areas under Signal No. 1.

Aside from winds, Crising will also trigger rain which may cause isolated to scattered floods and landslides between Thursday and Friday morning, May 14.

Moderate to heavy rain

• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Sur
• Davao Oriental
• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Norte

Meanwhile, the eastern seaboard of Mindanao will have moderate to rough seas in the next 24 hours, with waves 1.2 to 3 meters high.

PAGASA advised small vessels and “inexperienced mariners” not to venture out to sea.

Crising remains likely to make landfall in the Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area between Thursday night and early Friday morning.

PAGASA said Crising may slightly intensify further, but it is seen to remain a tropical storm before landfall.

Then it could weaken back into a tropical depression while crossing Mindanao’s rugged landmass on Friday, before emerging over the Sulu Sea early Saturday morning, May 15.

Finally, it may weaken into a remnant low early Sunday morning, May 16, while passing over Palawan, then dissipate. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

PAGASA

Crising is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2021 and the first for May.

For the next 6 months, PAGASA estimates the following number of tropical cyclones inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility:

• May – 0 or 1
• June – 1 or 2
• July – 1 to 3
• August – 2 or 3
• September – 2 or 3
• October – 2 or 3

The Philippines gets around 20 tropical cyclones each year. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2021) – Rappler.com