4 areas under Signal No. 1 as Agaton slightly intensifies

Four areas remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Agaton slightly intensified, weather bureau PAGASA said on Saturday afternoon.

Based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the center of Agaton was last spotted 130 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

It was moving northeastward slowly.

PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 was raised over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern Visayas and Dinagat Islands will prevail on Sunday morning.

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

In the next 24 hours, rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 4.0 m) will prevail over the seaboards of areas where TCWS 1 is hoisted and the northern and eastern coastal waters of Northern Samar.

“These conditions may be risky for most seacrafts. Mariners of small seacrafts 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,” PAGASA warned.

The weather bureau said Agaton is forecast to remain almost stationary or move slowly as it meanders over the waters east of Eastern Visayas until Tuesday morning.

"Due to the expected erratic nature of its movement, a landfall over the coast of Eastern Samar is possible. However, the tropical depression may begin turning generally northeastward on Monday evening or Tuesday morning as it interacts with the incoming tropical cyclone with international name Malakas," it said.

Agaton is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 to 24 hours, PAGASA said. —VBL, GMA News