24 provinces under signal No.1 as Marce makes landfall

At least 24 provinces were placed under signal No. 1 yesterday as Tropical Depression Marce threatened to bring moderate to heavy rainfall in the Visayas and Mindanao over the weekend.

The state weather bureau said Marce made landfall in Surigao del Norte early evening yesterday and is expected to pass through Northern Mindanao, Central Visayas and north of Palawan before leaving the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday.

Placed under signal No. 1 are Romblon, Cuyo Island, Calamian Group and southern part of Mindoro, provinces in Luzon and Biliran, southern part of Samar, southern part of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras in the Visayas.

Also under signal 1 are Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said rain would be moderate to heavy within the 300- kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

Areas under storm warning signal as well as the rest of Eastern Visayas were advised to be alert against flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon, PAGASA added.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Marce was located at 60 km southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte and was

about to make landfall in the province.

It packs maximum sustained winds of up to 45 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is forecast to move northwest at a speed of 19 kilometers per hour.

Tomorrow, Marce is estimated to be over Jimalalud, Negros Oriental and 145 km northwest of Coron, Palawan.

It will be at 345 km west of Iba, Zambales on Sunday, and exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning.

A heavy rainfall warning was also raised in Surigao and Agusan provinces, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte yesterday due to the tropical depression.

PAGASA said cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected over Bicol and Palawan.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.