‘Agaton’ maintains strength despite 5 landfalls

This satellite photo released by Pagasa mid-Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 2018, shows tropical depression “Agaton” somewhere west of Negros Island in the Visayas. PAGASA IMAGE

Tropical depression “Agaton” has reached the province of Negros Oriental as it moves west to Palawan, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Agaton was seen as of 10 a.m. at 170 kilometers west of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental moving at a speed of 28 kilometers per hour (kph).

Agaton maintained its strength with 55 kph maximum sustained winds and 90 kph gustiness despite making landfall five times since early Tuesday morning. It last made landfall at Bais City, Negros Oriental at 7:30 a.m.

Seven areas remained under tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1, including: Palawan including Cuyo Island; Bohol; Guimaras; Negros Oriental; Negros Occidental; Southern Antique; and Southern Iloilo. Warning signal were lifted over Cebu and Siquijor.

Agaton will continue to bring scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rain and it is expected over the affected areas, as well as the areas of Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Panay Island, Romblon, and Mindoro provinces.

Residents of these areas must undertake precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices, Pagasa said.

Sea travel remains risky in areas under signal No. 1 and the seaboards of northern Luzon and southern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, eastern and western seaboards of Visayas, and eastern seaboard of Mindanao due to the surge of Agaton as well as the surge of the northeast monsoon (amihan).

Agaton is expected to reach Palawan on Wednesday morning and exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday. /jpv