Rainy weekend in parts of S. Luzon, Visayas as Tropical Depression Maring nears

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Depression Maring is “moving erratically” over the country and may result in the raising of storm signals in parts of this weekend, state weather bureau said Friday morning.

In its 4 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Maring was last traced 540 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar

It packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph), gustiness of up to 55 kph and moving south at 10 kph, Pagasa said.

“The cyclone is forecast to maintain a generally west northwestward heading until Monday. A more westward movement is likely by Tuesday as it moves away from the Luzon Strait,” it added.

Wet, rainy weekend

Pagasa said Maring will bring light moderate and at times heavy rains over Eastern Visayas.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains meanwhile, may begin affecting Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and the rest of Visayas by Saturday “as the southwesterlies, enhanced by the depression begins to affect the central portion of the country,” according to Pagasa.

It warned of possible isolated scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas that are “highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps.”

Storm signals

The state weather bureau said there is “moderate to high likelihood” that tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) will be hoisted over several provinces in Northern Luzon by early or mid-Saturday.

The highest possible wind signal for Maring is TCWS #2, it added.

“However, due to the uncertainty in the track and intensity forecast, there is a possibility that areas outside Northern Luzon may also be placed under TCWS and that a higher wind signal may still be hoisted within the forecast period,” Pagasa said.

Rough seas

Coastal waters will be moderate to rough over the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern and western seaboard of Visayas, according to Pagasa.

“These conditions are risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” the state weather bureau warned.

Meanwhile, the low pressure area (LPA) 1,510 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, has a minimal chance of developing into a storm, Pagasa said.

The LPA is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility within the next 24 hours.

gsg