Tropical depression Queenie dissolved into a low-pressure area on Tuesday afternoon but would continue bringing rains to parts of Mindanao, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Queenie at 2 p.m. weakened into a remnant low, which according to the US National Hurricane Center no longer has the characteristics required for a tropical cyclone.
Located 420 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 p.m., the remnant low may dissipate in the next 12 hours, PAGASA added.
The weather disturbance is now forecast to cause light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Caraga and Davao Oriental. Flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards.
PAGASA said the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over the eastern portion of Caraga and some areas in Eastern Visayas is unlikely.
In the next 24 hours, however, the former storm may cause moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard.
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda warned that “floods and landslides could be the greatest enemy” as Queenie approached.
“The problem with having a new typhoon so soon after a previous one is the soil has not regained its capacity to absorb water. Our inland bodies of water are still full. So, any strong rains, even if the typhoon doesn’t make landfall at all, could cause serious flooding or landslides,” Salceda said.
At the same time, the chairman of the House committee on ways and means said “mobility assets and evacuation preparations should be the highest priority.”
“We already know what areas are likely to flood. Paeng already gives us painful hindsight on that,” he said.
Salceda pointed out that some 500,000 people in the Bangsamoro region were affected by flooding and heavy rains even if Paeng made landfall nowhere near the region.
He noted that the same areas that were severely affected by flooding during Paeng, such as parts of Maguindanao del Norte and Cagayan, were also affected by above-average rains two weeks ago during Typhoon Obet.
“These areas already experienced significant rain just two weeks before Paeng. North Luzon has experienced more than 120 percent of the normal rainfall from Oct. 1-23, prior to Paeng. And similar areas were affected by rains associated with the typhoon. We must watch out for rain in those same areas,” he said.
