By Brian Campued
Communities near Mayon Volcano are warned of possible lahar flows from heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Ada, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin on Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ada was monitored 335 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar.
The tropical storm packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph while moving northwestward at 20 kph.
Based on the track forecast, PAGASA said Ada may pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar on Saturday, Jan. 17, before moving slowly and becoming almost stationary over the sea near Catanduanes until Sunday, Jan. 18.
“Mag-landfall man po ito o hindi, maapektuhan pa rin po directly dahil ang ating radius na tinatawag o yung lawak from the center hanggang sa outer part ng bagyo ay 400 km. Mahahagip pa rin po itong Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, at ‘yung mga nearby areas pa sa may Caraga at Quezon ng mga pabugso-bugsong hangin at may kalasakang pag-uulan,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a public briefing.
Heavy to intense rains are forecast over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, while moderate to heavy rains are likely in Camarines Sur, Masbate, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte until Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, from Saturday to Sunday afternoon, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay will experience moderate to heavy rains.
“Mag-ingat po sa banta ng mga pagbaha, hindi lang doon sa mga low-lying areas, pati yung mga minsang hindi po binabaha na mga lugar. Meron ding possibility ng pag-apaw ng mga kailugan o yung biglang pagragasa po ng ating mga ilog. At sa mga mountainous areas naman, mataas din po ang tiyansa ng pagguho ng lupa,” Estareja said.
“At dito rin po sa may Albay kung saan nandoon nga ang Mt. Mayon, mataas din po ang tiyansa ng lahar flow doon sa mga malapit sa bundok kapag meron po tayong mga volcanic activity,” he added.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:
- Southern portion of Quezon (San Narciso, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres, Buenavista, Catanauan, Lopez, Calauag, Guinayangan, and Tagkawayan)
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate
- Northern Samar
- Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, City of Bogo, and Tabogon), including Camotes Islands and Bantayan Islands
- Dinagat Islands
- Siargao – Bucas Grande Islands
Residents in the said areas under Wind Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds within 36 hours of the issuance of the tropical cyclone bulletin.
Gale Warning is also in effect over the eastern coasts of Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon, as well as the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Samar.
Mariners and fisherfolk who are using small seacrafts, including motor bancas, are advised to avoid sea travel, as waves may reach up to 5 meters.
Residents living in coastal communities are likewise warned of possible storm surges of 1 to 2 meters between Saturday and Sunday in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.
-av
