Tropical Depression Amang weakens

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Amang weakened into a low-pressure area yesterday, but the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned of possible flash floods and landslides.

NDRRMC Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad raised the flood warning in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Camiguin as the low-pressure area was located 85 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar yesterday morning.

“All tropical cyclones warning signals have been lifted,” Jalad said.

The Philippine Atmospherical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the low-pressure area was expected to dissipate yesterday.

PAGASA said good weather would prevail until Saturday, apart from light rains due to the northeast monsoon.

In Albay, some 3,000 families or more than 10,000 people who evacuated during heavy rains spawned by Amang returned to their homes yesterday.

Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office chief, said 2,429 families or 8,886 persons came from low-lying areas while 530 families or 2,143 persons are from landslide-prone areas in Tiwi town.

“We allowed them to go back to their places, but we also told them to immediately evacuate once they receive an order from us,” Daep told The STAR.

In Caraga, only 682 families or 2,711 persons remained in evacuation centers on Monday.

The Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol said some 2,000 stranded passengers in Sorsogon and Masbate were allowed to leave.

Sea travel also resumed in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Eastern and Southern Visayas, where 3,047 passengers, 391 rolling cargoes, 27 vessels and nine motorboats were stranded. – Cet Dematera, Helen Flores