(File photo) MANILA - Tropical Depression Agaton has maintained its strength as it continues to "meander in the vicinity of Samar-Leyte" in the next six to 12 hours before it moves toward the Philippine Sea tonight or tomorrow morning, the weather bureau said. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains will prevail over Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros provinces. Light to moderate, with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Mimaropa Region, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, and the rest of the Visayas. Scattered to widespread flooding, rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards. "Agaton" packs maximum sustained
OCD-Bicol office in Legazpi City, Albay province (PNA file photo) LEGAZPI CITY - Several local government units (LGUs) in Bicol suspended classes on Monday as Tropical Storm Agaton dumped heavy rains across the region, the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol (OCD-5) reported. Among the areas covered by suspension were Legazpi City, Ligao City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Libon and Sto. Domingo, all in Albay province. In Masbate province, the towns of Mobo and Cataingan also canceled classes. The same directive was issued in the towns of Barcelona, Bulusan, Gubat, Castilla, Casiguran, Donsol, Magallanes, Sta. Magdalena and Pilar, all in Sorsogon province. Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD-5 spokesperson, said in an interview the red alert status that was declared by the OCD on Friday is being maintained to ensure the highest level of coordination and monitoring. "The southern portion of Masbate including Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer and Cawayan are under Tropica
(Courtesy of PAGASA-DOST) MANILA - Tropical Depression Agaton will continue to bring rains over parts of the country as it is now moving slowly northward over Basey, Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday night. In its 8 p.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said the center of "Agaton" was spotted in the vicinity of Basey, Samar with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. Moderate to heavy, with at times intense rainfall will be experienced over Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros Provinces. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Dinagat Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Quezon, and the rest of Bicol Region and Visayas. "
Track of Tropical Depression Agaton (Image from PAGASA's Facebook page) MANILA - Weather disturbance "Agaton" (international name Megi) has weakened into a tropical depression and was last located over the coastal waters of Tanauan, Leyte, the weather bureau said in its 8 a.m. bulletin Monday. "Agaton" now packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 75 kph. It is moving north northwestward slowly. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been hoisted over the southern portion of Masbate (Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer, Cawayan); Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan) including Camotes Island, and the eastern portion of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Ubay, San Miguel, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia