Signal No. 1 remains up over 11 areas due to Agaton

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remained hoisted over 11 areas in the country due to Tropical Depression Agaton, PAGASA said on Monday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• the southern portion of Masbate (Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer, Cawayan);
• Eastern Samar;
• Samar;
• Northern Samar;
• Biliran;
• Leyte;
• Southern Leyte;
• the northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan) including Camotes Island; and
• the eastern portion of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Ubay, San Miguel, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Mabini);
• Surigao del Norte; and
• Dinagat Islands.

These areas have strong winds prevailing or are expected within the next 36 hours. Winds may also result in minimal to minor threat to life and property, PAGASA said.

Agaton (international name: Megi) slightly weakened hours after it diminished into a tropical depression.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Agaton was estimated at 11.1°N, 125.1°E over the coastal waters of Tanauan, Leyte.

It has maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 60 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa.

PAGASA said Agaton’s movement is almost stationary over San Pablo Bay.

It also has strong winds or higher that extend outwards up to 150 km from the center.

Rainfall

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced over Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, the northern portion of Negros Oriental, the nothern portion of Negros Occidental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, and Guimaras.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains meanwhile are expected over Dinagat Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Quezon, and the rest of Bicol Region and Visayas.

On Tuesday, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Eastern Visayas may have moderate to heavy with at times intense rains, while Dinagat Islands, Romblon, and the rest of Visayas will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.

PAGASA said scattered to widespread flooding (including flooding) and rain-induced landslides may result in areas prone to these hazards.

Coastal waters

The seas will be rough to very rough (2.8 to 4.5 m) in the next 24 hours over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No. 1. Sea travel may be risky for most seacraft.

As for areas in the rest of the country that are not under any TCWS, coastal waters will be moderate to rough (1.2 to 3.4 m), which may be risky for small seacraft.

Track, intensity

On Monday and through Tuesday afternoon, Agaton is forecast to slowly loop in the vicinity of the northeastern portion of Leyte and the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar before emerging over the Philippine Sea by tomorrow evening as another tropical cyclone with international name “Malakas” begins to interact with it.

PAGASA said Agaton is forecast to remain a tropical depression.

However, it may further weaken into a remnant low by Wednesday evening as it becomes assimilated within the circulation of Malakas.

Agaton made landfall over Calicoan Island in Guiuan at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Severe Tropical Storm Malakas

In a separate 11 a.m. weather bulletin on Monday, Severe Tropical Storm Malakas was said to have slightly intensified while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Malakas was estimated at 1,300 km East of Southern Luzon (12.8°N, 136.2°E).

It has maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa.

PAGASA said Malakas’ movement is northwestward at 15 km/h.

It also has strong winds or higher that extend outwards up to 600 km from the center.

Malakas is forecast to continue tracking generally northwestward and enter Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday night or Tuesday early morning, the weather bureau said.

It also expected to continue intensifying throughout the forecast period, reaching typhoon category on Monday evening. A peak intensity of 155 km/h may be reached on late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

A deceleration while turning north northwestward is expected tomorrow morning while inside the PAR. Its duration within the PAR region will likely be short as it is expected to exit the region by Tuesday evening or Wednesday early morning.

Malakas will then accelerate generally north northeastward beginning on mid or late Wednesday.

PAGASA said Malakas is unlikely to directly affect the weather condition in the country, but it may influence the movement and development of Agaton as it tracks generally northwestward towards the PAR region.

Effects

Three individuals died in Negros Oriental due to Agaton, local authorities said, while several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao experienced flooding due to the rains brought by the storm.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) however on Monday said reports of one person dead and one missing in Region 11 are still for validation. It however confirmed that two were injured in Region 10 due to Agaton.

The NDRRMC also said that 136,390 people or 86,515 families were affected by Agaton in 201 barangays in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.

Close to 2,000 passengers were stranded in various ports on Monday morning due to Agaton, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Classes for Monday, April 11, were canceled in some areas. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News