Thousands evacuated as Eastern Mindanao braces for Auring

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Thousands were evacuated yesterday to safer grounds as Tropical Storm Auring maintained its strength, as it moved over the eastern parts of Mindanao.

Among the areas in Mindanao affected by Auring were 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, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur.

Sea travel was also not allowed in the waters in the said areas, especially in the eastern part of Mindanao.

Auring brought heavy to intense rains over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Eastern Samar yesterday, which was expected to last until today.

Moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains, also fell over Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and the rest of Caraga, while light to moderate, with at times heavy rains, were over Central Visayas, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.

Moderate to heavy rains were also noted in the rest of Northern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas.

Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands were also reported to have experienced moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains.

Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, the southern portion of Quezon, and the rest of Visayas and Caraga will have light to moderate, with at times heavy rains, over the rest of the weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that under the said conditions, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides, are likely during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to the hazards as identified in hazard maps.