Tropical storm Agaton is still moving slowly over the coastal waters of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday, April 10.

The center of “Agaton” was last spotted over the coastal waters of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, said the state weather bureau as of 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 105 kph, and it is moving westward slowly.

The state weather bureau warned of gale-force winds in the central and southern portions of eastern Samar (Can-Avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Boronggan City, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Balangiga, Lawaan, Hernani, General Macarthur, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan), the central and southern portions of Samar (Catbalogan City, Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, Hinabangan, Calbiga, San Sebastian, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Santa Rita, Basey, Talalora, Daram, Zumarraga, Marabut), and the northeastern portion of Leyte (Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Tunga, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Santa Fe, Pastrana, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Dulag, Mayorga).

These areas, according to PAGASA, are currently under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 2 where the potential impacts of winds include minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, areas under TCWS no. 1 include the rest of eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, northern Samar, Biliran, the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and the northern portion of Cebu (Borbon, Tabogon, San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Bantayan Islands) including Camotes Islands.

Impacts including rainfall, flash floods, landslides

In the next 24 hours, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may still prevail over eastern Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte.

On the other hand, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be experienced in Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, Romblon, 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 hazards as identified in hazard maps,” said PAGASA in its latest bulletin.

Rough to very rough sea conditions will likewise prevail over the seaboards of areas where TCWS nos. 2 and 1 are hoisted.

“These conditions may be risky for most seacrafts. Mariners of small seacrafts are advised 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,” PAGASA warned.

Intensity, track of 'Agaton'

PAGASA said that due to the tropical storm’s expected “erratic movement" a westward shift is possible.

“Agaton” may move over the coastal waters or may make another landfall over Leyte. By mid-Tuesday (April 12), 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 the state weather bureau.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez previously stated that “Agaton” is likely to remain a tropical storm, but the possibility of it being downgraded into a tropical depression or a low pressure area is “not yet ruled out.”

Furthermore, the tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) with the international name “Malakas” was last spotted 1,570 km east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph, gustiness of up to 105 kph, and it is moving northwestward at 30 kph.