Pagasa: Signal No. 1 in parts of Samar as Tropical Depression Paeng intensifies

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over several areas as Tropical Depression Paeng intensified  on Thursday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). 

In its early morning update, Pagasa reported that Paeng was sone 660 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

 Pagasa raised Signal No. 1 in the following areas:  

• Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Can-Avid, Dolores, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad, City of Borongan) 
• Eastern portion of Northern Samar (Lapinig, Gamay, Mapanas, Palapag, Laoang, Pambujan, Catubig, Las Navas)

“Sa mga kababayan sa nabanggit na lugar, maghanda po tayo sa mga posibleng pagbugso, ng malakas na hangin na dala ni Paeng within the next 36 hours,” said Pagasa weather specialist Daniel James Villamil.

 (Residents of affected areas must brace for strong winds brought by Paeng within the next 36 hours). 

 Flash floods and landslides are possible, Pagasa warned.

Stronger Paeng possible

Villamil said that Paeng is also forecast to intensify, and may reach typhoon category by the time it makes landfall in Northern Luzon.

He added that up to Signal No. 4 can be raised. 

Thursday forecast

The state weather bureau added that  Paeng’s trough or extension, combined with the shearline, are affecting a large part of the country.

Overcast skies with rain showers are expected in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Bicol regions,  the Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, BARMM, Quezon, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands. 

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon are expected to have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon or amihan, said Pagasa.  

Rough seas alert!

Pagasa has also raised a gale warning over the northern and eastern seaboard of Central Luzon as well as the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas.   

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