2014's first cyclone develops near Yolanda-hit Eastern Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - The low pressure area (LPA) that has brought rains in the Visayas and Mindanao has intensified into Tropical Depression "Agaton," the state weather bureau said before Friday noon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Agaton was spotted at 260 kilometers southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or 130 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Agaton is packed with maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and is projected to move southwest at five kilometers per hour.

PAGASA has raised public storm warning signal no. 1 over Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental and Compostella Valley.

The agency said winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour is expected in at least 36 hours in these areas.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (five to 15 millimeters per hour) is also expected within the 300-kilometer of the first tropical depression to hit the country this year.

The weather bureau warned that Agaton will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the Eastern and Central Visayas.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and the Caraga region, PAGASA said.

 Agaton is expected to be at 40 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur tomorrow morning.

By Sunday morning, it will be at 13 kilometers northeast of Davao City and at 45 kilometers northwest of General Santos City by Monday morning.