PAGASA: Storm signal no. 1 up in six areas due to Tropical Depression Ada

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 was raised over six areas in the Visayas and Mindanao due to Tropical Depression Ada.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday said TCWS No.1 is in effect over the following areas:

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• Samar
• Eastern Samar

Mindanao

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur

According to PAGASA, residents in the affected areas may expect strong winds with speeds of 39 to 61 kilometers/hour due to the storm signal. This may lead to minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Ada developed into a tropical depression inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of 8 a.m.

The center of the tropical cyclone was estimated based on all available data at 635 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving northwestward at 35 km/h and packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.

Strong winds

Meanwhile, PAGASA warned against the strong winds and rough winds associated with Ada.

Rough seas (4.0 meters) may be expected over the seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Camarines Norte; the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands.

"Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," PAGASA said.

Cebu

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Cebu, where search and rescue operations are ongoing following a landslide at the landfill site in Barangay Binaliw, will not be affected by the tropical depression.

"Base sa latest track and forecast rainfall, scattered na ulan lang at thunderstorms. Hindi yung nagdudulot ng matinding baha at pagguho ng lupa," said Benison Estareja in a press briefing.

(Based on the latest track and forecast rainfall, there will be scattered rains and thunderstorms in the area. It will not cause floods and landslides.)

The latest number of fatalities in the landslide reached 18, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Forecast track

On the forecast track, the tropical cyclone is seen to move west northwestward to northwestward over the next three days. It will pass close or make landfall over Eastern Visayas on Friday, January 16 or early Saturday, January 17 before passing close or make landfall over Catanduanes on Saturday or Sunday, January 18.

It will then turn generally northeastward over the sea East of Luzon.

PAGASA said Ada is forecast to reach Tropical Storm category within the next 24 hours. It will continue to gradually intensify over the Philippine Sea. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News