(UPDATED 6:10 a.m., Monday, December 18, 2023) Live updates of tropical depression Kabayan. (please refresh for latest updates)
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Kabayan develops into a tropical storm, Cebu still at Signal No. 1
Cebu remains at Storm Signal No. 1 and other areas in Mindanao are under Storm Signal No. 2 after Tropical Depression Kabayan (International name: Jelawat) developed into a tropical storm.
That is according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), which added that Kabayan is moving west-northwestward of the Philippine Sea.
Kabayan was last seen 275 kilometers east of Davao City while accelerating at the speed of 15 km per hour (kph), Pagasa said.
Based on its 11 p.m. cyclone bulletin, Kabayan carries maximum sustained winds of 65 kph with gusts of up to 80 kph.
This development has prompted the state weather service to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 2 in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, and the northern portion of Davao Oriental.
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Entire Cebu under Storm Signal No. 1
The state weather bureau, in its severe weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m. on December 17, included Cebu in the list of areas covered by TCWS No. 1.
TD Kabayan: PCG bans vessels from sailing in E. Samar, S. Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY — Due to threats of Tropical Depression Kabayan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) offices in Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte provinces have prohibited vessels from venturing into the sea.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also asked all local government units in Eastern Visayas to activate their respective disaster units and monitor the weather situation.
“Further, all vessels are reminded to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the movement of the typhoon if deemed affected by the weather disturbance,” the advisory said.
More sea trips from Cebu cancelled
Around 3:45 p.m. on December 17, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) announced more sea trips from Cebu being cancelled or suspended due to Tropical Depression Kabayan. These included voyages bound for Surigao and Nasipit, and Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City.
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Pagasa: TD Kabayan may hit Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Kabayan may make landfall in Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental between late Sunday night and Monday morning, the state weather agency said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kabayan is likely to hit either of the two provinces between 11 p.m. on Sunday and 2 a.m. on Monday.
“We expect it to possibly make landfall here in Surigao del Sur or the Davao Oriental area, tonight until tomorrow morning.,” Pagasa Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said in Filipino during a press conference.
Perez advised the public to check updates on the tropical depression through Pagasa’s official channels or social media pages as the state weather service will issue weather bulletins every three hours.
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Storm signals up in Camotes, other VisMin areas
Several parts of Visayas and Mindanao are now placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 including Camotes Islands in Cebu due to Tropical Depression “Kabayan.”
The tropical depression continued to move eastward over the sea east of Mindanao on Sunday, December 17, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) at 8 a.m.
As of 11 a.m. on Sunday, Kabayan was last spotted at 440 kilometers east of Davao City with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph), with gustiness reaching up to 70 kph.