(Eagle News) — The country’s first tropical depression for the new year has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on the first day of year 2018, and is now named “Agaton”, placing at least 17 provinces mostly in Mindanao under tropical cyclone warning signal number 1.
In its latest weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that low pressure area (LPA) east Southeast of Surigao City has developed into a tropical depression and was named Agaton.
It said the areas under tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 are Southern Leyte in the Visayas region; and Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Compostela Valley, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Camiguin, and Bukidnon in Mindanao.
These areas will have winds of up to 30 to 60 kilometers per hour in the next 36 hours or three days.
“Sea travel is risky over the areas under TCWS #1 and seaboards of Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, and eastern and western seaboard of Visayas due to the surge of the Northeast Monsoon,” PAGASA’s latest weather bulletin said.
It is “expected to make landfall over Caraga area tonight or tomorrow early morning.”
“Agaton” will bring moderate to heavy rains over Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao particularly in the regions of Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao.
“Residents of these areas must undertake precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management,” PAGASA said.
At 4:00 PM today, Monday, January 1, the center of Tropical Depression “AGATON” was estimated based on all available data at 175 km East Northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (09.0 °N, 127.8 °E), with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph
It is forecast to move West at 19 kph, and will be 65 km East of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte(8.5°N, 123.9°E) tomorrow (Tuesday)afternoon. It will be 80 km Southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan(9.3°N, 119.3°E) after 48 Hours(Wednesday afternoon), and is expected to leave the country by Thursday afternoon.
(Eagle News Service)