Pagasa: Auring weakens into low pressure area

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Auring weakened before noon and is now just a low-pressure area (LPA), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday.

Pagasa’s update as of 2:00 p.m. said that Auring regressed to an LPA before it crossed the Rapu-Rapu Islands in Albay, Bicol Region.  It was last seen over the coastal waters of the said island and is currently traversing Bicol towards Southern Quezon.

However, Pagasa said that there is a possibility that the LPA would also dissipate as it moves over the mountainous areas of Southern Luzon.

Despite this, state meteorologists warned that moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains may still occur over Bicol Region, Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon within the day.

On the other hand, light to moderate rains with at times heavy rains may be experienced over Aurora, Rizal, Laguna, Northern Samar, and the rest of Mimaropa.

By Tuesday, moderate to heavy rains may still be felt over Camarines Norte, Quezon, and Aurora, while Metro Manila, the rest of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Camarines Sur, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Batanes may see light to moderate rains.

Pagasa said that landslides are still possible near mountain slopes, especially if the area endured rains and winds in the past few days.  Also, flash floods are still imminent in low-lying areas.

With this development, Pagasa said that all Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been lifted.

Prior to its weakening, Auring brought immense rains and strong winds over Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region, then Eastern Visayas despite it being over waters for most of the time.

Several reports about damaged structures including bridges and dikes, especially in Surigao del Norte, also came in after Auring left the vicinity.

Despite being in the Philippine area of responsibility since Thursday last week, Auring only made landfall over Northern Samar early Monday morning.

READ: ‘Auring’ makes landfall in Northern Samar, heads towards Albay-Sorsogon area

JE