Signal No. 1 up over Eastern Samar, 3 other areas due to Agaton

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands on Saturday due to Tropical Depression Agaton, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Agaton was almost stationary some 125 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar late Saturday morning.

In its 11 a.m. cyclone bulletin, PAGASA also indicated that Agaton maintains a maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h, with a central pressure of 1004 hPa (hecto Pascals).

Agaton's strong winds extend outwards up to 140 km from the center, the weather bureau said, adding that the forecast is valid until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Possible floods, landslides

For Saturday until early morning Sunday, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte will prevail.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Masbate, Sorsogon, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

For early Sunday morning through Monday morning, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will affect Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, and Bohol.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be felt over Masbate, Sorsogon, and the rest of Visayas, and Mindanao.

Under these conditions, PAGASA warns, significant antecedent rainfall, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps.

Sea conditions

Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS No. 1 is in effect during the passage of the tropical depression.

In the next 24 hours, rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 4.5 m) will prevail over the seaboards of areas where TCWS No. 1 is hoisted and the northern and eastern coastal waters of Northern Samar.

These conditions may be risky for most sea crafts. Mariners of small sea crafts are advised to remain in port or take shelter, while those operating larger vessels are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions. —LBG/KG, GMA News