Heavy rains hit South Cotabato lake town due to TS Queenie

LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato — Heavy rains poured over this upland town on Thursday afternoon as Tropical Storm Queenie began affecting weather conditions in parts of Mindanao after entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

The downpour was among the strongest in the area in recent days as Queenie’s trough affected portions of Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

READ: Cyclone east of N. Luzon enters PAR; now called Queenie – Pagasa

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In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, Pagasa said Queenie was located 1,310 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 35 kph.

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No tropical cyclone wind signal had been raised, but Pagasa said strong to gale-force winds could affect parts of northern and southeastern Philippines in the coming days.

In Mindanao, strong to gale-force gusts may affect Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental from Friday until Saturday, particularly in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds.

Pagasa said Queenie was expected to intensify gradually while inside PAR and could reach typhoon category by Sunday, Sept. 27.

The tropical cyclone was forecast to remain far from Mindanao as it moves generally west-northwest, turning north-northeast.