The state weather bureau placed 16 areas in Visayas and Mindanao under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Kabayan continues to move westward over the sea east of Mindanao.
Under TCWS No.1, winds with speeds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h may prevail within the next 36 hours. Wind impacts may also result in minimal to minor threats to life and property.
PAGASA, in its 8 a.m. bulletin, said TCWS No.1 was hoisted over the following areas: the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao); the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes); Leyte; Southern Leyte; Bohol; Camotes Islands; Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Cateel, Boston, Baganga); the northern portion of Davao de Oro (Monkayo, Laak); Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; and the northern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Libona, Baungon, Cabanglasan, City of Malaybalay).
PAGASA said the center of the eye of Kabayan was last spotted 460 km east of Davao City, Davao del Sur. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
The surge of the northeast monsoon will also bring gusty conditions for the next two days over the following areas not under any wind signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds.
The Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Sunday it has raised the “blue alert” status as Kabayan continues to affect certain areas in Mindanao and Visayas.
Power system operator and transmission service provider National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) meanwhile has implemented the necessary preparations and precautions to minimize the impact of Kabayan on transmission operations and facilities.
NGCP said in a statement preparations include ensuring the reliability of communications equipment, availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damage to facilities, as well as the positioning of line crews in strategic areas to facilitate immediate restoration work.
NGCP’s Integrated Disaster Action Plan (IDAP) prescribes these and other procedures to ensure the readiness of all power transmission facilities expected to be affected by the passage of the weather disturbance.
The company has been pushing for grid resiliency due to stronger typhoons. NGCP plans to put up transmission towers and other structures that could withstand stronger winds.
It said overhead transmission lines are recommended to withstand up to 300 kilowatts per hour wind speed from the current 270 kph. NGCP operates the country’s transmission network through its franchise with the government.