Tropical Depression Chedeng maintained its strength and moved closer to Davao region, the state weather bureau said Monday as it placed more areas under storm warnings.
At 1 p.m., Chedeng was 370 kilometers east, southeast of Davao City, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and 60 kph gusts, said PAGASA.
br /> br />
Chedeng is forecast to move west, southwest at 20 kph.
The storm will dump scattered to at times widespread moderate rains over Caraga and Davao Regions, especially over Surigao del Sur, the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, the agency said.
Chedeng is expected to hit land on Tuesday in Davao Oriental, plow through southern Mindanao, and weaken into a low pressure area, said PAGASA weather specialist Bennison Estareja.
The storm, however, will continue to bring occasionally heavy rains over parts of the Davao, Soccsksargen, Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga regions, said PAGASA.
Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 was raised over the following areas, which may be whipped by 30 to 60 kph winds in 36 hours:
- Davao Oriental
- Compostela Valley
- Davao del Sur
- Davao City
- General Santos City
- Davao Occidental
- southern portion of Davao del Norte including Samal Island
- eastern portion of North Cotabato
- eastern portion of South Cotabato
- eastern portion of Sarangani
PAGASA urged residents in these areas to inspect their houses for necessary repairs, clean up the drainage systems, and harvest ripe crops.