MANILA, Philippines - State weather bureau PAGASA on its 5am update today, January 17, 2015 said that 'Bagyong Amang' (International name: Mekkhala) has intensified further and threatens Samar Provinces. Signal No. 2 is now up Tacloban, Leyte in which Pope Francis will offer mass near Tacloban Airport this morning.
PAGASA added that 'Bagyong Amang' may hit Borongan City, Eastern Samar this afternoon.
At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm “Amang” was estimated based on all available data at 220 km East Southeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (10.9°N, 127.3°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 130 kph. It is forecast to move West at 17 kph.
'Amang' Forecast Positions:
- 24 hour (Tomorrow morning): 20 km East Northeast of Masbate City.
- 48 hour (Monday morning): 35 km South of Cabanatuan City.
- 72 hour (Tuesday morning): 125 km Northwest of Laoag City.
Signal No. 2 (PSWS #2) is up in the following areas: Sorsogon, Masbate Incl. Ticao Island. Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte Incl. Biliran. (These areas will have stormy weather with heavy to intense rains. Residents along coastal areas are alerted against possible Storm surges of less than 2 meters.)
Meanwhile, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 (PSWS#1) at the following areas: Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Burias Island, Quezon Incl Polillo Island, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu incl. Cebu City, Camotes Island, Capiz and Aklan and Dinagat Island.
The estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS#2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Ocean waves may reach up to 9 meters within the diameter of the storm.
Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.
In the next 6 hours, there is a possibility of raising Public Storm Signal # 1 over Cavite, Rizal, NCR & Bulacan.
The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions.
PAGASA added that 'Bagyong Amang' may hit Borongan City, Eastern Samar this afternoon.
At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm “Amang” was estimated based on all available data at 220 km East Southeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (10.9°N, 127.3°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 130 kph. It is forecast to move West at 17 kph.
'Amang' Forecast Positions:
- 24 hour (Tomorrow morning): 20 km East Northeast of Masbate City.
- 48 hour (Monday morning): 35 km South of Cabanatuan City.
- 72 hour (Tuesday morning): 125 km Northwest of Laoag City.
Signal No. 2 (PSWS #2) is up in the following areas: Sorsogon, Masbate Incl. Ticao Island. Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte Incl. Biliran. (These areas will have stormy weather with heavy to intense rains. Residents along coastal areas are alerted against possible Storm surges of less than 2 meters.)
Meanwhile, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 (PSWS#1) at the following areas: Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Burias Island, Quezon Incl Polillo Island, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu incl. Cebu City, Camotes Island, Capiz and Aklan and Dinagat Island.
The estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS#2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Ocean waves may reach up to 9 meters within the diameter of the storm.
Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.
In the next 6 hours, there is a possibility of raising Public Storm Signal # 1 over Cavite, Rizal, NCR & Bulacan.
The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions.
