Tropical depression Agaton (international name: Megi) continues to affect most parts of the country and it was last spotted in the vicinity of Santa Rita, Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday, April 11.
In its bulletin issued as of 11 p.m., PAGASA disclosed that “Agaton” has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph, and it is moving north northwestward slowly.
Due to “Agaton,” tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 1 is still raised in the southern portion of Masbate, eastern Samar, Samar, northern Samar, BIliran, Leyte, the northeastern portion of Cebu including Camotes Island, and Dinagat Islands.
“Wind signals in other areas are hereby lifted,” said PAGASA. However, it warned that within 36 hours, strong winds may prevail in areas where TCWS no. 1 is hoisted.
Meanwhile, in the next 24 hours moderate to heavy rains may still prevail over eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, the northern and central portions of Cebu, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros Provinces.
“Under these conditions and considering significant antecedent rainfall, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are still expected especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazard,” PAGASA warned.
Furthermore, with its expected interaction with the weather disturbance “Malakas,” tropical depression Agaton is forecast to “deteriorate into a remnant low” within 36 hours, said PAGASA.
PAGASA sees 'slight eastward shift' of 'Malakas'
On the other hand, the severe tropical storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) which has the international name “Malakas” was last spotted 1,255 km east of southern Luzon as of 11 p.m. on Monday, April 11.
“In the next 12 hours, “Malakas” is expected to continue tracking generally north northwestward. Mayroon po itong bahagyang eastward shift kaya nakikita rin po natin na bumababa ang tiyansa na ito ay papasok sa PAR, subalit, hindi pa rin po natin niro-rule out na papasok ang bagyong ito sa ating PAR (It had a slight eastward shift so we also see a decrease in the chances that it will enter PAR, but we are still not ruling out the possibility that it will enter PAR),” said PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda in a public weather forecast.
Latest analysis likewise showed that Malakas will have no direct effect to the country, said PAGASA.