Southern Negros, which was earlier forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to be in the path of Tropical Storm Vinta, dodged the system as it traversed over Mindanao yesterday.

Vinta is expected to exit the country by Christmas morning.

Holiday travel was not affected by the storm, with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, saying operations at the various seaports throughout Negros Occidental remained normal throughout the day.

Despite the storm missing Negros, passengers did report moderate to rough waves while crossing to Panay; while strong winds reportedly knocked down several trees and utility posts in Bacolod City.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), meanwhile, issued a flood warning for the southern and central part of Negros Occidental for Saturday, December 23, as the heavy rains are expected to coincide with the high tide around 1:30 a.m.

PAGASA reported the storm made landfall near Davao Oriental around 4:00 a.m. yesterday and continued its westward track at 20 kilometers per hour (kph). The storm produced maximum sustained winds of 65 kph, with gusts reaching 110 kph.

The weather bureau is currently monitoring another weather disturbance outside the country, which could enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between December 28 and 31.

However, PAGASA said it is still too early to tell where the new weather disturbance would enter./DGB, WDJ