Agaton weakens into LPA but will still cause heavy rainfall

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Agaton further weakened into a low pressure area on Tuesday night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geographic and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

According to the latest Pagasa bulletin, the LPA is over the coastal waters of Guiuian, Eastern Samar, moving southwest slowly.

“This weather disturbance will continue tracking generally eastward over the Philippine Sea as it becomes assimilated within the circulation of Typhoon Malakas,” Pagasa said.

Despite weakening, the LPA will continue to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rainfall over Eastern Visayas and in Sorsogon and Masbate.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rainfall is expected in Mimaropa, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga Del Norte, Quezon, the rest of the Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas.

“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in areas with significant antecedent rainfall,” Pagasa said.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 95,741 families composed of 139,146 individuals in the Visayas and Mindanao were affected by the Agaton.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Malakas, formerly known as Basyang, is currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is not expected to directly affect the country’s weather as it moves north-northeast away from the country.

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