Chedeng may weaken into an LPA as it crosses Mindanao

TROPICAL DEPRESSION Chedeng brought moderate to heavy rains in the Caraga and Davao regions on Monday, prompting several local government units to declare the suspension of classes until at least Tuesday. Weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. advisory on Monday that similar weather conditions are expected on Tuesday in parts of the regions of Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City), Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga Peninsula. PAGASA also said Chedeng is likely to make landfall over the eastern coast of Davao Oriental Tuesday morning and “is expected to weaken into a Low Pressure Area (LPA) while crossing Mindanao.” The Davao Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has raised a blue alert status, a level that means at least half of the personnel of government and other related agencies have to be at their posts, ready for the roll-out of response programs. Class suspensions were ordered in several towns and cities, including Maco, Mabini, Pantukan, Mawab, Nabunturan, maragusan and New Bataan in Compostela Valley province; Tagum, Samal, and Panabo cities in Davao del Norte; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and Davao City, among others.