MANILA, Jan. 19 (PNA) –Eight provinces in Mindanao are still under public storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression “Agaton” continues its slow movement due to the presence of two high-pressure areas (HPAs) off the Pacific Ocean and a strong northeast monsoon, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.
In an interview with PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that as of 4:00 a.m., “Agaton” was located at 166 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and moving slowly to south southwestward at 5 kph.
Escullar said the presence of two HPAs off the Pacific Ocean and a strong northeast monsoon continued to prevent “Agaton” from moving faster.
She said that public storm warning signal no. 1 (winds of 30-60 kph is expected in at least 36 hours) was still hoisted in Surigao del Norte; Siargao Island; Surigao del Sur; Dinagat Province; Agusan del Norte; Agusan del Sur; Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
PAGASA said the tropical depression might bring rainfall of 5 to 15.0 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 300-km diameter.
“Agaton” will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the rest of Visayas on Sunday, according to the PAGASA weather update released at 5:00 a.m.
The same update added that sea travel would be risky over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to northeast monsoon.
She also projected the possibility of “Agaton” making landfall over the Davao area “though the tropical depression was following “erratic track.”
“Agaton” is forecast to be at 145 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Monday morning.
By Tuesday morning, it is expected to be 87 km southeast of Davao City. By Wednesday morning it is forecast to be 190 km southwest of Davao City or at 75 km west of General Santos City.
Escullar also said that the rest of Luzon including Metro Manila will experience cloudy skies with light rains due to northeast monsoon.
In its Sunday forecast, PAGASA said that the Caraga, Davao Oriental and the Compostela Valley will have rain and gusty winds, with moderate to rough seas.
The Visayas, the rest of Davao and Northern Mindanao will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms. Dangers of flash floods and landslides are also up.
The Bicol region will be cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms, while Palawan and the rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
It added that Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with light rain.
PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon, as well as “Agaton”, will affect the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas. Over Mindanao, winds will be from the northeast to northwest.
Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.
“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” the Sunday 5:00 a.m. said. (PNA)