Tropical storm Agaton (International name: Megi) was last spotted over the coastal waters of Lawaan, eastern Samar and it is still moving slowly, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, April 10.
The state weather bureau, in its bulletin issued as of 5 p.m., said that “Agaton” has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 105 kph, and is moving westward slowly.
Due to the impacts of this weather disturbance, tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 2 is still hoisted over the central and southern portions of eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, General Macarthur, Hernani, Balangiga, Lawaan, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan), the central and southern portions of Samar (San Jose de Buan, San Jorge, Tarangnan, Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Hinabangan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Daram, Zumarraga, Talalora, Santa Rita, Basey, Marabut, San Sebastian), Biliran, and the northern and eastern portions of Leyte (Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Alangalang, Tunga, Jaro, Kananga, Ormoc City, Santa Fe, Palo, Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Dulag, Mayorga, Macarthur, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Javier, La Paz, Julita, Burauen).
Areas under TCWS no. 2 may experience gale-force winds within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, areas under TCWS no. 1 include the southern portion of Masbate (Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer, Cawayan), the rest of eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, northern Samar, the rest of Leyte, southern Leyte, the northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bantayan Islands, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan) including Camotes Island, and the eastern portion of Bohol (Buenavista, Danao, Dagohoy, Pilar, Guindulman, Candijay, Mabini, Alicia, Ubay, San Miguel, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Trinidad, Bien Unido, Talibon, Jetafe).
Strong winds may prevail in the aforementioned areas within the next 36 hours, said PAGASA.
Hazards including heavy rainfall, landslides, rough seas
Due to tropical storm Agaton, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains is expected over Masbate, Sorsogon, eastern Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, and Dinagat Islands in the next 24 hours.
Moreover, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over Albay, Catanduanes, Romblon, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, northern Mindanao, and the rest of Visayas.
“Under these conditions and considering significant antecedent rainfall, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard map,” PAGASA warned.
Winds may also reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where TCWS no. 2 is hoisted. With this development, PAGASA strongly advised mariners of small seacrafts to remain in port or take shelter, while those operating larger vessels are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.
'Agaton' to interact with 'Malakas'
“By Tuesday afternoon or evening (April 12), a gradually accelerating turn east southeastward or eastward is expected as “Agaton” undergoes a binary interaction with the incoming tropical cyclone with international name “Malakas,” said PAGASA.
Previously, PAGASA stated that “Agaton” will likely remain a tropical storm for most of the forecast period, but the possibility of it being downgraded into a tropical depression or a low pressure area (LPA) is not yet ruled out.
“Agaton” is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low by late Wednesday (April 13) or early Thursday (April 14) as “Malakas” begins to assimilate its circulation,” said PAGASA.
The tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) which has the international name “Malakas” is expected to enter PAR by late Monday (April 11) or early Tuesday (April 12). Once it enters PAR, it will be given the local name “Basyang.”