Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 was raised over Dinagat Islands and parts of Eastern Samar and Surigao del Norte early Sunday, Feb. 21 as tropical storm ‘Auring’ (international name ‘Dujuan’) begins to move towards Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions
In its 5 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hoisted Signal No. 2 over San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Balangiga, Lawaan, Llorente, Hernani, General McArthur, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Salcedo, Mercedes, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Surigao City, Sison, Tagana-An, Placer, San Francisco, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao del Norte; and Dinagat Islands.
Signal No. 1 was also up in Sorsogon, mainland Masbate, Ticao Island, Northern Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, northern and central portions of Negros Occidental, eastern portion of Iloilo, eastern portion of Capiz, the rest of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
As of 4 a.m., tropical storm Auring was last seen at 395 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, and has started to move west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
PAGASA said Auring could continue to move generally west-northwest to northwest in the next 48 hours, but short-term erratic movement may still happen prior to landfall over the areas of Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar (southern portion including Homonhon Island), or Leyte between tonight, Feb. 21 and tomorrow morning, Feb. 22.
However, the possibility of a weaker Auring, as a tropical depression, making landfall over the country remains due to "persistent high vertical wind shear associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon or "amihan," PAGASA said.
Bu the storm maintaining its strength until landfall is not yet ruled out, it added.
After its landfall, Auring is seen to "weaken considerably due to significant terrain interaction and the increasing wind shear, leading to deterioration into a remnant low within 48 hours, possibly sooner."
This Sunday, moderate to heavy rains may persist over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also affect Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas and Caraga region.
By Monday, PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail across Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan.
Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are likely during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards.
Moreover, adjacent or nearby areas may experience flooding even in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels.
In the next 24 hours, the combined effects of the surge of amihan and tropical storm Auring could also bring gale-force winds in areas under Signal No. 2, and strong breeze to near-gale conditions with occasionally higher gusts over areas where Signal No. 1 is in effect.
Strong breeze may also affect Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Aurora, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and the rest of Visayas and Bicol region.
Rough to very rough seas due to the weather systems may affect the seaboards of areas with tropical cyclone warnings, including the eastern seaboard of Luzon that is not under any cyclone warning.
Rough seas may also prevail over the southern seaboard of Luzon, including the eastern seaboard of Palawan, the remaining seaboards of Visayas, and northern, eastern, and western seaboards of Mindanao that are not under any tropical cyclone warning.
PAGASA said all types of sea vessels are prevented from setting sail over these coasts.
Based on the government weather bureau's latest forecast, Auring will likely be at 60 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Monday morning, and at 30 km west-southwest of Romblon, Romblon by Tuesday morning, Feb. 23.