Amang weakens, but rains to continue over Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Amang (international name Mekkhala) weakened into a low-pressure area yesterday but it will continue to bring rains over Northern and Central Luzon in the next 24 hours, the state weather bureau said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the low-pressure area was spotted at 160 kilometers east southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“The low-pressure area is still expected to bring light to moderate rains over Northern and Central Luzon,” PAGASA said.

PAGASA said the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos will continue to experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with light rains.

The Visayas and Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms.

The weather bureau also warned the public against venturing to the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon due to big waves generated by the low-pressure area and the northeast monsoon.

Amang – the first cyclone to hit the country this year – brought heavy rains and strong winds during Pope Francis’ recent visit to Tacloban and Palo, Leyte.

Millions of Catholics who attended Pope Francis’ concluding mass in Rizal Park in Manila last Sunday were also drenched by rains spawned by Amang.

Sunny weather, however, prevailed over the capital yesterday morning as the 78-year-old Argentine pope departed for the Vatican, ending his five-day visit to the Philippines.

130 families rescued

In Albay, Gov. Joey Salceda said 130 families were rescued from a landslide by joint forces of the military, police and local government.

The landslide occurred last Sunday in Barangay Nagotgot in Manito town.

“We still achieved zero casualty despite the threat of Amang,” said Salceda. “Only two empty houses were buried by the landslide.”

The landslide victims are staying at the Nagotgot evacuation center.

Authorities are calling on the public to donate used clothes, kitchen utensils and hygiene kits for the victims. – With Celso Amo