LPA east of PH now tropical cyclone Amang; Signal No. 1 up in parts of Bicol, Eastern Visayas
The low pressure area (LPA) east of Catanduanes has developed into tropical depression Amang, the first cyclone to form inside the country’s area of responsibility this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday, April 11.
As of 5 a.m., the center of the eye of Amang was estimated 475 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.
It was moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
Amang has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.
This image from PAGASA shows the location of tropical depression Amang as of 5:20 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
This image from PAGASA shows the location of tropical depression Amang as of 5:20 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Signal No. 1 up
PAGASA said Amang may move generally west toward the Bicol region before turning northwest for the rest of the forecast period. Due to the expected approach of Amang, tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 has been raised over Catanduanes, the northern part of Eastern Samar, and eastern part of Northern Samar. PAGASA said Signal No. 1 may be hoisted in other localities in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region in its next bulletins. “Areas under Wind Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) associated with tropical depression Amang, which may pose minimal to minor threat to life and property,” the weather bureau warned. From Tuesday morning until evening, PAGASA said heavy rains may also affect Northern Samar and the northern parts of Samar and Eastern Samar. From Tuesday morning until Thursday evening, April 13, intense rains may prevail over Camarines Norte and the western part of Camarines Sur, while heavy rains may affect the southern portion of Quezon province, the rest of Bicol Region, Northern Samar and the northern parts of Samar and Eastern Samar. “Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA said.Landfall not ruled out
Although the current track forecast for Amang shows that the tropical depression will remain offshore east of Luzon for the next three days, the forecast confidence cone shows that a landfall scenario in the Bicol Peninsula area or the northern part of Samar Island is not ruled out, especially in the next 36 hours. Throughout the forecast period, PAGASA said Amang may remain a tropical depression, with the possibility of weakening into a low pressure area late Thursday, April 13, or early Friday, April 14.