Signal No. 1 up over 17 areas due to Maring

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over 17 areas on Sunday due to Tropical Storm Maring (international name: Kompasu), according to the 11 a.m. bulletin issued by PAGASA.

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

1. Batanes;
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands;
3. Isabela;
4. Apayao;
5. Abra;
6. Kalinga;
7. Mountain Province;
8. Ifugao;
9. the northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan, Mankayan);
10. Ilocos Norte;
11. Ilocos Sur;
12. Catanduanes  ;
13. Eastern Samar;
14. the eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Mapanas, Lapinig, Gamay, Palapag, Mondragon, Silvino Lobos);
15. the eastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Paranas);
16. Dinagat Islands; and
17. Surigao del Norte

Winds

PAGASA said areas under TCWS No. 1 have strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) with higher gusts prevailing or may expect within 36 hours. This may result in very light damage to structures and vegetation.

The strong winds or higher than that are extending outwards up to 750 km from the eye of Maring.

Meanwhile, the coastal and upland/mountain areas of Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao that are not under TCWS may have occasional gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength in the next 24 hours. This is due to the expansive wind field of Maring and the gradual enhancement of the southwesterlies and northeasterlies.

Rainfall

Rains are to be expected over Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro due to the enhancement of the southwesterlies.

Moderate to heavy rains due to Maring may possibly pour over Catanduanes on Sunday.

The rest of the Bicol Region and Visayas may have light to moderate or at times heavy rains.

Flash floods or landslides may occur in areas prone to these hazards.

Coastal waters

Due to Maring and the northeasterly wind flow, a gale warning was hoisted over the eastern seaboards of the country.

The seas will be moderate to rough in the next 24 hours in the remaining seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, and the northern seaboard of Mindanao. This makes it risky for those with small seacraft to travel.

"Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said.

Location

At 10 a.m., the eye of Maring was located at 730 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa.

Maring is moving north northwestward over the Philippine Sea at 30 km/h.

PAGASA said Maring has fully merged with the remnants of the low pressure area formerly known as Tropical Depression Nando.

"The merger cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify and may be upgraded to severe tropical storm category within the next 24 hours," it said.

The forecast track shows Maring moving west northwestward towards Extreme Northern Luzon, passing closely or over the Babuyan Islands between Monday evening and Tuesday early morning. PAGASA said it is not ruling out the possibility of a landfall.

From there, Maring will then move generally westward over the West Philippine Sea starting Tuesday.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary precautions.

The next weather bulletin will be issued by PAGASA at 5 p.m.

Canceled flights

Meanwhile, airport authorities announced the cancellation of some flights on Sunday due to the bad weather caused by Maring. —KG, GMA News