MANILA, Philippines — (Update 2, 5:48 p.m.) Thousands have been evacuated in Caraga as Tropical Storm Auring (international name: Dujuan) inches closer to land.
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Mark Timbal told state-run People's Television that 1,241 families have been preemptively evacuated in Caraga and are staying in 36 evacuation centers.
State weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin that Auring slightly weakened and now packs winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
Auring was last spotted 440 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and is moving northwestward at 15 kph, PAGASA said.
The tropical storm is expected to make landfall over the Dinagat-Homonhon-Leyte area on Sunday evening or early Monday morning before crossing the Visayas and Mimaropa.
PAGASA said Auring is more likely to weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall.
Auring's effects are already being felt in Caraga and eastern Visayas, where light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected until tonight.
Moderate to heavy rains are expected tomorrow over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and eastern Visayas, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over northern Mindanao, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Quezon and the rest of Visayas and Caraga.
PAGASA forecasts light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the Bicol region, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and the southern portion of Quezon on Monday.
Signal No. 1 is currently hoisted over the following areas:
- Cataingan, Masbate
- Cawayan, Masbate
- Dimasalang, Masbate
- Esperanza, Masbate
- Palanas, Masbate
- Pio V. Corpuz, Masbate
- Placer, Masbate
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Cebu
- Negros Orienta
- Bohol
- Siquijor
- Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
- Bago City, Negros Occidental
- Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
- Calatrava, Negros Occidental
- Enrique B. Magalona, Negros Occidental
- Escalante City, Negros Occidental
- Manapla, Negros Occidental
- Murcia, Negros Occidental
- Sagay City, Negros Occidental
- Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
- San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
- Silay City, Negros Occidental
- Talisay City, Negros Occidental
- Toboso, Negros Occidental
- Victorias City, Negros Occidental
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Davao Oriental
- Davao de Oro
- Davao del Norte
- Davao City
- Camiguin
- Misamis Oriental
- Bukidnon
PAGASA said Auring and the northeast monsoon, also known as amihan, will bring strong to gale-force winds over areas where Signal No. 1 is up, along with the rest of Visayas, Bicol region, Calabarzon, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo and Kalayaan Islands.