Tropical depression "Auring" (international name "Dujuan") has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) after crossing Northern Samar, where it made its landfall over Batag Island on Monday morning, Feb. 22.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Auring fizzled out around 11 a.m., Monday prior to crossing Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.
PAGASA has lifted tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 in all areas in the country.
As of 1:00 p.m., the LPA was already over the coastal waters of Rapu-Rapu.
It may continue to move northwest to west and traverse the Bicol region, southern Quezon, Marinduque, and northern Mindoro in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said.
The LPA may weaken and eventually dissipate while traversing Southern Luzon, it pointed out.
However, given this scenario, the LPA may continue to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may also affect Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.
By Tuesday, Feb. 23, moderate to heavy rains may persist over Camarines Norte, Quezon, and Aurora, and light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Batanes.
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.
Likewise, adjacent or nearby areas may experience flooding even in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels.
While Signal No. 1 was already lifted, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon or "amihan" will continue to bring strong breeze over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Aurora, and Quezon.
Moderate to rough seas will be experienced across the country's seaboards due to the amihan.
PAGASA advised those using small boats to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea, while inexperienced mariners were asked to avoid navigating in these conditions.
Thousands affected
At least 23,000 families were affected by the onslaught of typhoon “Auring” in the Caraga region on Sunday, Feb.21.
The massive evacuation took place over the weekend at 661 evacuation centers in different municipalities in Surigao del Sur province and its component cities of Tandag and Bislig.
“Reports indicated 27 areas in the region are without electricity, 10 areas without telecommunication service, and seven areas without radio contact,” Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Regional Director P/Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat,Jr said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday, Feb. 22 reported that two national road sections in Region 13 (Caraga) were rendered impassable by Tropical Storm "Auring".
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said one of the affected sections is the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, K1362+689 Hubo Bridge in San Agustin, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur which has a scoured slope protection.
"The road will remain impassable until the water level in the area has subsided. In the meantime, the DPWH maintenance crew in the area have installed road safety devices to warn motorists/pedestrians," read the advisory sent by the agency to reporters.
The Dinagat – Loreto Road K0014+600 section is also closed due to road slip, the agency said. DPWH has installed barricades and signages for the safety of the public and avoid further damage on the road.
Meanwhile, Auring-affected road sections in Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte along Agusan-Misamis road, and other sections of Surigao-Davao Coastal Road are now one-lane, if not two-lane passable.
Stranded
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said at least 4,565 passengers, drivers, truck drivers, and helpers were stranded in different ports of the country.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, the Coast Guard said there were 78 vessels, nine motorbancas, and 1,878 rolling cargoes stranded in Northern Mindanao, North Eastern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Bicol, and Southern Tagalog regions.
At least 142 vessels and 96 motorbancas were taking shelter as a precautionary measure against the possible threat of the tropical cyclone. (With reports from Mike U. Crismundo Ellson A. Quismorio Richa Noriega)