Pagasa: Possible floods, landslides due to Amang

TYPHOONPROFILEAMANG-Jan15-11amMANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau warned of possible floods and landslides as Tropical storm Amang (international name: Mekkhala) continued its track.

“Residents over flood and landslide prone areas in Samar and Leyte provinces experiencing rains for the past few days are advised to be alert for possible occurrence of flashfloods and landslides,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said midday Thursday.

The storm has maintained its strength midday Thursday as it continued to move over the Philippine Sea.

Amang will bring moderate to heavy rains within its 300-kilometer diameter but is also seen to weaken to a tropical depression, Pagasa said.

The storm packs 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph.  It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph.

Amang was last spotted 905 kilometers east of Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Light to moderate rains are forecast in Leyte on Saturday, when Pope Francis will visit the survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in Leyte. It is said to be the highlight of the pontiff’s five-day visit.

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