Storm signal raised in Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - Storm warning signal No. 1 was raised over parts of the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas before noon yesterday as Tropical Storm Amang (international name Mekkhala) moved closer to Samar, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Amang is expected to make landfall over Northern Samar tonight.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Burias Island, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao Island, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran and Leyte.

These areas can expect intermittent rains with occasional gusty winds in the next 36 hours, PAGASA said.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte today to lead a mass and have lunch with survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and the magnitude-7.2 earthquake in Bohol.

PAGASA said there is also a possibility of raising signal No. 1 over Camarines Norte, Marinduque and Southern Quezon in the next six hours.

According to PAGASA, Amang maintained its strength as it moved westward toward Eastern Visayas yesterday.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Amang was spotted at 475 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was forecast to move west at 15 kph.

PAGASA said Amang is predicted to be 140 km northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar this afternoon.

It is forecast to be 90 km east of Daet, Camarines Sur tomorrow afternoon; and 135 km east of Tuguegarao City tomorrow afternoon.

PAGASA said the storm could dump heavy to intense rain (7.5 to 20 millimeters per hour) within its 175-km radius.

The agency advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces under signal no. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides. – With Celso Amo