ILOILO CITY - Tropical Storm Tino is rapidly advancing toward Eastern Visayas, with weather authorities warning residents to prepare for potentially severe conditions in the coming hours.
Storm Movement and Expected Landfall
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Tropical Storm Tino was last spotted 440 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The storm is moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour, significantly faster than previous forecasts indicated.
According to PAGASA's 11 a.m. bulletin on Monday, Tino packs maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness reaching up to 80 km/h.
Areas Under Signal No. 1
The state weather bureau has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over several areas in Eastern Visayas:
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northern portion of Cebu
- Camotes Island
Residents in these areas should expect winds of 39 to 61 km/h within the next 36 hours, potentially causing minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Timeline and Potential Impact
PAGASA forecasts that Tino will make landfall over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area between Monday evening and Tuesday early morning. The storm is expected to maintain its westward trajectory throughout Monday before gradually turning west-northwestward on Tuesday.
Weather specialists warn of moderate to heavy rainfall within Tino's circumference. The combination of strong winds and heavy precipitation could lead to flooding in low-lying areas and possible landslides in mountainous regions.
Safety Precautions and Preparedness
Local disaster risk reduction management offices have been placed on high alert. Residents in the affected areas are advised to:
- Secure loose outdoor items that could be blown away by strong winds
- Prepare emergency kits with essential supplies
- Monitor official weather updates regularly
- Follow evacuation orders from local authorities if issued
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the storm's passage
Fisherfolk and those with small seacraft are strongly advised to avoid venturing out into the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, as well as the eastern seaboard of Visayas due to potentially rough sea conditions.
