Four areas in Eastern Visayas remained under tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 as storm Agaton (international name: Megi) continued to move “very slowly” over the coastal waters of Tanauan, Leyte, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin on Monday, April 11.
Signal No. 2 was still hoisted over the southern portion of Eastern Samar, southern portion of Samar, Biliran, northern portion of Leyte.
Meanwhile, the southern portion of Masbate, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Northern Samar, the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northeastern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, the eastern portion of Bohol, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Island remained under Signal No. 1.
PAGASA said Agaton maintained its maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph but may weaken into a tropical depression in the next few hours due to land interaction.
Heavy rains persist
Due to Agaton’s slow movement, heavy rains will continue to affect Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and parts of Southern Luzon in the next 24 hours.
Within Monday, moderate to heavy with occasional intense rains will prevail over Eastern Visayas, Masbate, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and the northern and central portions of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will continue to affect Dinagat Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and the rest of Bicol Region and Visayas.
By Tuesday, April 12, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will persist in Sorsogon, Masbate, Eastern Visayas, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains will continue in Dinagat Islands, Romblon, 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 hazards as identified in hazard maps,” PAGASA warned.
Agaton may merge with approaching storm ‘Malakas’
PAGASA said that Agaton will likely loop slowly in the vicinity of northeastern Leyte and the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar until Tuesday afternoon before emerging over the Philippine Sea by Tuesday evening as the tropical cyclone with international name “Malakas” begins to interact with it.
“Further weakening into a remnant low is likely by Wednesday evening as Agaton becomes assimilated within the circulation of Malakas,” it added.
Malakas will be given a local name, Basyang, once inside the country’s area of responsibility.