Agaton remains strong as it moves over Santa Rita in Samar
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Agaton remained strong as it moved north-northwest on Monday night over the vicinity of Santa Rita town in Samar province.
Agaton had maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Pagasa said Agaton would remain almost stationary going into Tuesday, roaming over waters between Samar and Leyte before moving east and weakening into a low pressure area by Wednesday.
As of this writing, the following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:
Luzon
- southern portion of Masbate: Dimasalang, Cawayan, Palanas, Placer, Cataingan, Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz
Visayas
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Northern Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte,
- Southern Leyte
- northeastern portion of Cebu: Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, and Camotes Island
Mindanao
- Dinagat Islands
Pagasa said that minimal damage due to wind is expected, as only buildings made from light materials might be affected in areas under Signal No. 1.
Still, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may still persist over 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.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be felt in Mimaropa, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas.
Meanwhile, severe Tropical Storm Malakas has not yet entered the Philippine area of responsibility, according to Pagasa.
As of this writing, it had maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and a gustiness of up to 125 kph.
Malakas is still not expected to make landfall and may have no direct impact on the country’s weather systems.
Pagasa said Malakas would only be in the PAR briefly before turning northeast towards southern Japan.
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