Typhoon Tino (International code name Kalmaegi) maintains its strength and is bringing life-threatening conditions to the Camotes Islands, the weather bureau reported.
Tino, the 20th severe weather disturbance to affect the country, has moved away from Mindanao as it approaches Cebu, which is still reeling from the impact of the magnitude 6.9 offshore earthquake that devastated Bago City and nearby towns last September 30.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its Situational Report on Tuesday that Tino has claimed its first fatality.
Because of the inclement weather, a total of 75,591 persons from MIMAROPA, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, and CARAGA were pre-emptively evacuated. The NDRRMC said so far, Tino has affected 17,124 families or 59,918 persons in 371 barangays across 59 cities and towns in 14 provinces, mostly from the Visayas.
In its 5 a.m. On Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, stating that a combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall is threatening many areas in the Visayas.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 is up in the western and southern portion of Leyte, including Mahaplag, Abuyog, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hilongos, Hindang, Bato, Matalom, Javier, Macarthur, La Paz, Mayorga, Burauen, Isabel, Merida, Albuera, Dulag, Julita, Palompon; the northern and central portions of Cebu namely Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Balamban, Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Borbon, Carmen, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio, City of Bogo, Toledo City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Medellin, Daanbantayan) including Camotes Islands and Bantayan Islands.
Also under TCWS No. 4 are areas in the northeastern portion of Bohol, namely, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Getafe, Trinidad, Ubay, Bien Unido, Talibon; the northernmost portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City); the northern portion of Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, City of Escalante, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay, Bacolod City, Murcia, Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, La Castellana); Guimaras, the central; and southern portions of Iloilo (Calinog, New Lucena, Maasin, Oton, Concepcion, Pavia, Dueñas, Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal, Ajuy, Iloilo City, Tigbauan, Anilao, San Miguel, Leon, Mina, Santa Barbara, Barotac Viejo, Leganes, Dingle, Zarraga, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Alimodian, Dumangas, San Joaquin, San Rafael, San Enrique, Badiangan, Banate, City of Passi, Pototan, Lambunao, Lemery, Tubungan, Igbaras, Janiuay, Miagao, San Dionisio, Sara), and the southern portion of Antique (Valderrama, Patnongon, San Remigio, Sibalom, Belison, San Jose, Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Anini-Y, Bugasong)
PAGASA said significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 4.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 3 is hoisted over Cuyo Island in Luzon and other parts of the Visayas.
Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No 3.
In its Weather Advisory issued at 5 a.m., PAGASA said Negros Occidental, Antique, Aklan,
Iloilo, Guimaras, and Capiz are forecast to experience heavy rain or over 200 mm of rain throughout Tuesday, while moderate to heavy rainfall is also threatening Palawan, Cebu, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Sorsogon, Biliran, Samar, Bohol, Camiguin,
Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Romblon, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte. The inclement weather is attributed to the typhoon-induced rain and Shear Line weather conditions affecting the Visayas.
According to PAGASA, there is a high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3 meters within the next 36 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal communities of Masbate, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
Because of the inclement weather and threats affecting coastal areas, mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, were advised not to venture out to sea in the next 24 hours.
Tino continues to move westward at 25 km/h and is packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 205 km/h
PAGASA said heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone.
Tino has passed close to the Camotes Islands and is forecast to traverse the Visayas and northern Palawan until it emerges over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning, before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
According to PAGASA, due to interaction with the terrain, Tino may slightly weaken while crossing Visayas. However, it is expected to remain at typhoon category throughout its passage over the country.