“Agaton” maintains its strength as it moves closer to Palawan

Track of “Agaton” /PAGASA/

(Eagle News) — Tropical Depression “Agaton” has maintained its strength as it moved closer to Palawan on Tuesday night.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 4 p.m., the center of “Agaton” was located 185 kilometers east southeast 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 28 kilometers per hour, and is expected to make landfall over Palawan tonight.

PAGASA has hoisted Signal Number 1 over Palawan including Cuyo Island, where moderate to heavy rains are expected.

These are also expected in the Bicol Region, Samar provinces, Southern Quezon, Panay Island and the rest of MIMAROPA, PAGASA said.

“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,” the weather bureau noted.

It said sea travel was risky over the areas under Signal Number one and over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, eastern and western seaboards of Visayas, and eastern seaboard of Mindanao due to the surge of the northeast monsoon and “Agaton.”