'Amang' first typhoon to enter Philippines this year

MANILA, Philippines - A typhoon entered the country’s area of responsibility yesterday, but the weather bureau does not expect it to intensify into a storm.

Gladys Saludes, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster, said tropical depression “Amang” is the first recorded typhoon to enter the country this year.

She said Amang was spotted 970 kms east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, maintaining sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph).

“Amang is the first typhoon to enter the country, but we do not expect it to intensify into a storm. In fact, we expect it to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning,” Saludes said.

PAGASA’s 5 p.m. weather forecast said Amang would be moving northeast at 22 kph.

In the next 24 hours, Metro Manila would experience light rains and then clear skies over the next three days, while Northern and Central Luzon would experience mostly cloudy skies with light rains.

The rest of the country would have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast would prevail over Luzon and Visayas, and the coastal waters along these areas would be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds would be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate seas.

 An average of 21 typhoons enter the country every year. 

Meanwhile, since early yesterday morning, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo instructed all field stations affected by Amang to make the necessary preparations.

“Warn the shipping lines, fishing boats and fishermen not to venture out of affected sea areas,” he said.

“Seek the help of the media and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the affected localities. All PCG boarding teams should also be alerted.”