Tropical Depression “Amang” —the country’s first storm this year —could make landfall in the Bicol Region by Wednesday as about 19 areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, the state weather bureau said last night.
Amang maintained its strength and continued to move westward toward the northern coast of Catanduanes at about 30 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tuesday.
Although Amang is predicted to remain over the coastal waters, PAGASA is not ruling out a landfall scenario in the Bicol Peninsula, adding it “may pass over or very close near Catanduanes” overnight.
Amang was 130 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes at 5 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA said, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday announced that it is looking at the possibility of upgrading the alert status of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO) Operations Center, with Tropical Depression Amang expected to affect a large part of the country.
“Alert status of the NDRRM Operation Center will be raised or maintained to Red or Blue,” said OCD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV in a statement.
He added that this is one of the OCD’s preparedness measures as Amang was spotted some 475 kilometers east of Virac town, Catanduanes province.
Alejandro said they will also conduct a pre-disaster risk assessment that will determine the alert status and its corresponding preparedness measures of affected regions and provinces.
“Other measures also include close coordination with all concerned member-agencies, ensuring the availability and pre-positioning of response assets and relief items for immediate deployment and distribution,” he added.
PAGASA raised storm Signal No. 1 in the following areas, where 39 to 61 kph winds could be expected in 36 hours.
LUZON – Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Masbate including Ticao Island, Burias Island, Rizal;
Laguna (San Pablo City, Alaminos, Calauan, Bay, Los Baños, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Victoria, Pila, Liliw, Magdalena, Majayjay, Luisiana, Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac);
Aurora, Bulacan (Norzagaray, Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso), Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Alfonso Castaneda);
Nueva Ecija (General Tinio, City of Gapan, Peñaranda, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Cabanatuan City, Talavera, San Jose City, Carranglan, Pantabangan, Llanera, General Mamerto Natividad, Rizal, Bongabon, Laur, Palayan City, Gabaldon);
Isabela (Echague, San Agustin, Jones, Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Palanan, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Cauayan).
VISAYAS – Northern Samar, Samar (Calbayog City, Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Gandara, Santa Margarita, San Jorge) and Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Maslog, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo, Dolores)
The areas placed under signal no. 1 could experience strong winds brought about by the storm. PAGASA said the threat to life and property is “minimal to minor.”
Downpours could dump up to 100 mm of rain over the Bicol region and Northern Samar, while intense rains of up to 200 mm could be expected in the northern portion of Quezon and the eastern portion of Laguna.