Tropical depression Agaton (international name: Megi) is now in the vicinity of Marabut, Samar and at least nine areas in the Philippine are still under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 1, said the state weather bureau on Tuesday, April 12.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Agaton was last spotted in the vicinity of Marabut, Samar. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph), gustiness of up to 75 kph, and it is moving eastward slowly.
Due to this weather disturbance, TCWS no, 1 is still in effect over the southern portion of Masbate, eastern Samar, Samar, northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, southern Leyte, the northeastern portion of Cebu, and Dinagat Islands.
“Strong winds within the next 36 hours. Potential impacts of the winds minimal to minor threat to life and property,” PAGASA warned.
Moderate, heavy rains persist
The state weather bureau said that as “Agaton” continues to “slowly move away” from the Philippine landmass, moderate with at times heavy rains may still persist in most parts of the country in the next 24 hours.
“Today, moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains in eastern Visayas, Bicol region, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros Provinces,” said PAGASA.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may likewise persist in MIMAROPA, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas over the next 24 hour period.
With these conditions, PAGASA warned of flash floods and landslides, especially in areas that are “susceptible to hazards.”
Furthermore, in terms of the tropical depression’s track and intensity, the state weather bureau said that “Agaton” is forecast to continue meandering in the vicinity of Samar-Leyte within the next 6 to 12 hours. However, due to the “erratic nature” of “Agaton,” PAGASA warned that its forecast track may likely change.