MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Agaton, the country’s first weather disturbance of the year, is expected to further intensify off the coast of Samar and bring rains over parts of Mindanao and the Visayas.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Agaton was forecast to intensify into a tropical storm today.
Moderate to at times heavy rains are expected today over Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and the northern and central portions of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands and Bohol.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Eastern Samar as well as Dinagat Islands and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are forecast over Masbate, Sorsogon and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.
PAGASA warned that these conditions may bring scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in high-hazard areas.
Agaton is expected to remain almost stationary until tomorrow or move slowly over the waters east of the Visayas.
Agaton was monitored at 130 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 4 p.m. yesterday.
It had a maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
PAGASA said landfall over Eastern Samar is still possible, but Agaton will begin turning generally northeastward by tomorrow or Tuesday, when it interacts with another tropical cyclone with international name Malakas.
Malakas was located at 1,965 kilometers east of Mindanao and was moving northwestward at 10 kph.
It had sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
The tropical cyclone is expected to reach typhoon category today and enter the Philippine area of responsibility around tomorrow or Tuesday and influence the development of Agaton.