Agaton to bring more rains to Cebu until Tuesday
CEBUANOS should expect light to moderate rains for three more days or until Tuesday, April 12, 2022, as the low pressure area (LPA) over eastern Visayas has developed into Tropical Depression “Agaton.”
While Agaton is not expected to make landfall in Cebu, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas Weather Bureau Chief Al Quiblat said on Saturday, April 9, that Cebuanos may also experience heavy rains in the coming days.
The weather condition will improve starting Wednesday, April 13, he said.
On Sunday, April 10, until early morning on Monday, April 11, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains will be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern and central parts of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, and Bohol, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced in Masbate, Sorsogon, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.
Four areas in the country— Eastern Samar in the Visayas and Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands in Mindanao— have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1.
“Under these conditions and considering significant antecedent rainfall, scattered to widespread flooding (including flooding) and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps,” said Pagasa.
Agaton was forecast to remain a tropical depression over the next three days, “although there is a marginal possibility of intensification into a tropical storm on late Sunday or on Monday.”
Based on the weather bureau’s forecast as of 5 p.m. on Saturday, the center of the TP Agaton was estimated at 130 kilometers East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar with a maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center.
It has gustiness of up to 70 km/ h as it slowly moves northeast. Pagasa said Agaton was “almost stationary,” adding that it was forecast to remain almost stationary or move slowly over the waters east of Eastern Visayas until Monday.
“Due to the expected erratic nature of its movement, a landfall over the coast of Eastern Samar is possible. However, the tropical depression may begin turning generally eastward on Monday or Tuesday as it interacts with the incoming tropical cyclone with international name ‘Malakas,’” Pagasa said in its 8 a.m. Saturday advisory.
State of preparedness
Though, Pagasa said the winds brought by Agaton pose minimal to minor threat to life and property based on the forecast, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not taking any chances.
Rama has placed the city under a “state of preparedness” starting Saturday.
The mayor ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents living in “vulnerable” areas in the city like those prone to landslides and flooding.
Rama said the City will need to heighten preparations in case the weather condition worsens.
“We should not be waiting for a catastrophe to happen,” Rama said, adding that he doesn’t want a repeat of what happened during Typhoon Odette.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) regional office has not issued yet a cancellation of trips for sea vessels in Cebu ports.
The PCG Cebu, however, has left to the discretion of motorbanca operators going to Olango Island from Angasil port in Lapu-Lapu City whether or not they would continue to operate as they are still waiting for the PCG regional office to issue a travel advisory.
Rescue
Meanwhile, at least seven fishermen were rescued by the crew of m/v Joyful Star of Roble Shipping Lines from the waters off Hilongos, Leyte past 12 midnight on Saturday.
The fishermen were found aboard the FBCA Nico Dan 4 fishing boat whose engine had malfunctioned, prompting the ship’s crew to rescue them.
Captain Alvin Dagalea, PCG commander, said they received a distress call from m/ v Joyful Star about the rescue operation.
PCG Cebu identified the rescued fishermen as Jason Bercasio, 31; Niko Delos Santos, 15; Khem Rico, 22; Joeco Bercasio, 24; John Rodel Basay, 15; Orlando Suralta, 48; and Joshua Gonzaga, 24, who are from San Francisco town, Camotes Island, Cebu. (MKG / LMY / REV / BBT / TPT)