Severe Tropical Storm “Vinta” now traversing Compostela Valley; typhoon signals up

(Eagle News) — “Vinta” has intensified into a severe tropical storm and is now traversing the Compostela Valley.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 7 a.m., the center of “Vinta” was in the vicinity of Laak.

The severe tropical storm  is packing maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 155 kilometers per hour.

It is forecast to move west at 20 kilometers per hour.

Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over Southern Surigao del Sur, Northern Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Northern Davao del Sur (Davao City), North Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay

Southern Leyte, Bohol, Southern Cebu, Negros Oriental, Southern Negros Occidental, and Siquijor Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, the rest of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin, the rest of Davao Oriental, the rest of Davao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Basilan are under Signal No. 1.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Visayas and Mindanao within 24 hours, PAGASA said.

It said residents of these areas must “take appropriate actions against flooding and landslides, coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates.”

Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of areas under tropical cyclone warning signal, PAGASA said.