MANILA, 8 December 2006 — A tropical storm had been spotted east of the Philippines and was moving in the general direction of the Samar and Leyte, the weather bureau said yesterday.
Named “Seniang,” the new weather disturbance initially developed as a “depression” over the Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean and intensified into a storm as it blew westward, said a weather bulletin of the Pagasa, or Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Seniang was moving west at 19 kph as of late yesterday afternoon and unless it changes course, it could hit the islands of Samar and Leyte tomorrow and probably Cebu on Sunday afternoon, forecasters said. It is feared to cause problems in nearby Cebu, which will be hosting the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit from Dec. 11 to 14.
“Seniang” is the 19th tropical cyclone to visit the Philippines this year.
Just last week, Supertyphoon Reming (international name: Durian)slammed into the eastern region of Bicol, unleashing mudslides from the slopes of Mayon Volcano and destroying villages and burying more than 1,200 people.
In late September, Typhoon Milenyo (international name: Xangsane) left 230 people dead and missing in and around Manila.
Typhoon Paeng (Cimaron) killed 19 people and injured 58 others late last month, and earlier this month, Queenie (Chebi) sliced through the central Luzon region, killing one.
About 20 typhoons and tropical storms lash the Philippines each year.
