SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 02 November) – Officials and residents of Caraga region, particularly in Dinagat Islands province and Surigao del Norte, are preparing for ‘Tino,’ which has intensified into a severe tropical storm as of the 5 p.m. advisory on Sunday by the state weather bureau. It is expected to make initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands late Monday evening (November 3) or early Tuesday morning (November 4). Tropical Cyclone Signal 1 has been hoisted over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Camotes Islands, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 2 of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The possibility of ‘Tino’ reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out based on alternate scenarios and climatological data. After landfall, ‘Tino’ is expected to traverse Visayas and northern Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning or afternoon. Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey, Jr. emphasized the need for preparation, noting that ‘Tino’ may pack winds of 120 kph and its strength and trajectory resemble Typhoon Odette (Rai) in December 2021 and Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2012. As of the 5 p.m. bulletin, ‘Tino’ was located 805 km east of Eastern Visayas, moving westward at 30 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 115 kph. PAGASA forecasts continuous intensification, possibly reaching typhoon category within 24 hours, with a likelihood of rapid intensification and peak winds of 150-165 kph at landfall. Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers reported heightened monitoring and a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The Department of Tourism Caraga advised tourists to avoid island-hopping and water activities starting Monday. In General Luna, Surigao del Norte, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council activated contingency plans and coordinated with barangays and agencies for community safety. The Philippine Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte suspended sea travel to Siargao Island and surrounding routes, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development placed its offices on full alert, prepositioning 558,098 family food packs nationwide, including 81,989 in Caraga. PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin indicated the highest wind signal likely to be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4. (Chris V. Panganiban with reports / MindaNews)
