Tropical depression “Vicky”—the 22nd to hit the country this year–traversed Monkayo, Davao de Oro in Mindanao while maintaining its strength, prompting the National Electrification Administration to alert all electric cooperatives to take all precautionary steps against the weather disturbance.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over the northern and central portion of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands; the southern portion of Leyte; Southern Leyte; the central and southern portions of Cebu, including Camotes Island; Bohol; Siquijor; Negros Oriental; Negros Occidental; Guimaras; the central and southern portions of Iloilo; Iloilo City; the southern portion of Antique; Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; Surigao del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; Davao Oriental; Davao del Norte; Davao de Oro; Davao City; the northern portion of Davao del Sur; Camiguin; Bukidnon; Misamis Oriental; Misamis Occidental; Lanao del Norte; Lanao del Sur; Maguindanao; Cotabato City; North Cotabato; Zamboanga del Sur; Zamboanga Sibugay, and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.
“Vicky” made landfall near Baganga, Davao Oriental Friday at 2 p.m.
It is forecast to move generally west-northwestward while over the landmass of Mindanao.
At 4 p.m. Friday, its center was estimated in the vicinity of Monkayo, Davao de Oro.
It was moving west northwestward at 15 km/h packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h.
The NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department issued an advisory to 121 ECs to implement contingency measures to mitigate the possible impact of the weather disturbance on their electric services to consumers.
The agency also directed the power co-ops to activate their respective Emergency Response Organization when the need arises to implement without delay the appropriate emergency response plans.
All ECs were also advised to closely monitor the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration for updates on the weather disturbance, and report all significant outages to the NEA DRRMD.