Rains to continue as Amang weakens

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Amang has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) but will continue to bring scattered rains over the country today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The state weather bureau said that the LPA was monitored around the vicinity of Infanta, Quezon yesterday afternoon. The LPA will bring rain showers over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Camarines Norte.

Light to moderate and at times heavy rains are forecast over Rizal and Quezon particularly. The remnant low and localized thunderstorms will also bring isolated rain showers over the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides during at times heavy rain.

Amang made landfall in three areas – Panganiban in Catanduanes, Presentacion and Lagonoy in Camarines Sur – as it traversed the eastern side of the country. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was the highest signal raised over the course of Amang.

Displaced families

Amang has affected and displaced at least 81 families or some 280 persons in the Bicol region alone, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC said 78 of the families or 275 persons were served inside five different evacuation centers, while others had decided to move in with relatives elsewhere.

The NDRRMC said necessary assistance are being provided to affected residents from at least seven barangays in Camarines Norte, Naga, Camarines Sur and Albay.

Bad weather conditions also caused floods and affected seven bridges and caused the cancellation of two domestic flights. Twelve seaports were also affected, stranding 3,395 passengers and 635 rolling cargoes.

Operations in port areas resumed yesterday after the Philippine Coast Guard lifted the suspension of sea trips in Baseport Legazpi and the ports of Tabaco and Pio Duran in Albay, along with the ports of Virac and San Andres in Catanduanes, as well as Matnog and Bulan in Sorsogon. Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority said over 100 passengers remain stranded.

As of yesterday, the NDRRMC said there have been no reported deaths or injuries in affected provinces where floodwaters are already subsiding.

Class suspensions

In-person and online classes remained suspended in several areas on Wednesday due to the effects of Tropical Depression Amang.

Classes in public kindergarten to senior high schools were automatically suspended in all areas under tropical cyclone warning signals.

Among the provincial governments that suspended classes in all levels, public and private, were Laguna and Camarines Sur. Classes up to senior high school were also suspended in some areas in Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

P12 million agricultural damage

Agriculture damage due to Amang in Bicol reached P12.34 million as many farms were submerged in floods, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In an interview, DA Office of the Director for Field Operation Services officer-in-charge U-Nichols Manalo said that based on field reports, of the total crops affected, P8.07 million were rice fields covering 1,017 hectares.

“Tropical Depression Amang made three landfalls in Bicol. As a result the affected number of farmers and fisherfolk totaled to 1,200 mostly in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon,” Manalo said. He added that damage to high value crops reached P4 million. – Michael Punongbayan, Janvic Mateo, Robertzon Ramirez, Bella Cariaso

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