Several areas in the country are now under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Tropical Storm (TS) Dante is now moving west-northwestward while over the Philippine Sea, the weather bureau said in its 8 a.m. update Tuesday.

“Dante” was last tracked 270 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, moving at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

It packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center, and gustiness up to 90 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

TCWS No. 2 has been hoisted over the eastern portion of Masbate including Ticao Island, Sorsogon, and the eastern portion of Albay, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, the northern and central portions of Leyte, and the eastern portion of Southern Leyte, the northern portion of Dinagat Islands, and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

Damaging gale force winds may be experienced over these areas within 24 hours.

TCWS No. 1, on the other hand, has been hoisted over Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, the rest of Albay, the rest of Masbate including Burias Island, the eastern portion of Romblon, and the eastern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

Also under Signal No. 1 are the northeastern portion of Capiz, the northeastern portion of Iloilo, the northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, the northeastern portion of Bohol, the rest of Leyte, and the rest of Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and the rest of Surigao del Norte.

These areas may experience strong winds within 36 hours, according to PAGASA.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains was forecast over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands, and moderate to heavy rains over the rest of Eastern Visayas, the northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains likely over Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen, and the rest of Central Visayas.

Scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are highly possible, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards.

Rough to very rough seas will prevail over the seaboards of areas where Signal No. 2 was hoisted, as well as the eastern seaboard of Caraga. Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts over these waters.

Areas under TCWS No. 1, and the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental will have moderate to rough seas.

PAGASA advised mariners of small seacrafts to take precautionary measures when venturing out to the sea.