“Agaton” slows down slightly as it heads toward the West Philippine Sea; is expected to exit PAR on Thursday

The track of Tropical Depression “Agaton” /PAGASA/

(Eagle News) — Tropical Depression “Agaton” has slowed down slightly as it heads toward the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said  that as of 4 a.m.,  the center of the tropical depression was seen 175 kilometers west northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

“Agaton” is packing maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour.

It is forecast to move west at 25 kilometers per hour, and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.

All tropical cyclone signal warnings have been lifted, but PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains are still expected over Visayas, Bicol Region, Palawan and Quezon due to the trough of  the tropical depression and the tail-end of a cold front.

“Residents of these areas must undertake precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices,” PAGASA said.

It added that sea travel was risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, eastern and western seaboards of Visayas, and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao due to the surge of the northeast monsoon and “Agaton.”