Pagasa raises signal No. 1 in parts of Luzon, Visayas

The state weather bureau on Thursday morning raised signal No. 1 in parts of Luzon and Visayas as a low pressure area off Northern Samar intensified into Tropical Depression “Salome.”

Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Romblon, Marinduque, Southern Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte including Biliran were placed under tropical cyclone signals, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Salome, which was last spotted in the vicinity of Mondragon, Northern Samar, is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The tropical cyclone moved west northwest at 25 kph. It is expected to be out of Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning.

Pagasa said Salome is expected to cross Sibuyan Sea within the day.

Residents in areas with storm signals and the rest of Bicol region and CALABARZON, Metro Manila and the eastern section of Central Luzon are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Pagasa also warned that sea voyage will be risky in areas under Signal No. 1 due to moderate to rough seas. /jpv