THE low pressure area east of Catanduanes developed into tropical depression “Amang” and is forecast to bring rains and gusty winds over Northern and Eastern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains, and minimal to minor threat to lives and properties due to strong winds.

Signal no. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, northern portion of Eastern Samar, and the eastern portion of Northern Samar.

Rough seas will prevail in the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and the northern and eastern seaboards of the Visayas.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture into the sea, and larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

MORE AREAS PUT UNDER STORM SIGNAL

More areas have been placed under tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 as “Amang” accelerated moving towards the coast of Catanduanes province, the weather bureau said.

As of 11 a.m. yesterday, storm signal no. 1 has been hoisted over the following areas: Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon (Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Calauag, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, General Nakar, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, Tagkawayan, Pagbilao, City of Tayabas) including Polilo Islands, Marinduque and Masbate including Ticao Island, Burias Island; Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar and Biliran.

These areas may experience strong winds to near gale strength winds which may pose minimal to minor threat to life and property, PAGASA said.

“Amang” was last tracked 270 kms. east of Virac town, Catanduanes, moving westward at 30 kph.

The tropical depression packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

“Amang” is expected to remain as a tropical depression throughout the forecast period, and is likely to weaken into a low pressure area by Thursday or Friday.

OCD ON ALERT FOR ‘AMANG’

The Office of Civil Defense yesterday announced that it is looking at the possibility of upgrading the alert status of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO) Operations Center, with tropical depression “Amang” expected to affect a large part of the country.

“Alert status of the NDRRM Operation Center will be raised or maintained to Red or Blue,” said Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, in a statement.

He added that this is one of the OCD’s preparedness measures.

Alejandro said they will also conduct a pre-disaster risk assessment that will determine the alert status and its corresponding preparedness measures of affected regions and provinces.

“Other measures also include close coordination with all concerned member-agencies, ensuring the availability and pre-positioning of response assets and relief items for immediate deployment and distribution,” he added.

The OCD spokesperson also said they will continuously monitor and disseminate warnings and updates regarding the weather disturbance.

He also urged the public to keep adhering to the NDRRMC’s guidelines on Covid-19 preparedness measures. Philippine News Agency