By Brian Campued
Tropical Depression Ada maintained its strength as it decelerated over the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.
In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ada was located 545 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
The tropical cyclone still packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph but slowed down to 10 kph while moving west-northwestward.
“Bagaman nasa dagat pa rin ‘yung tinatayang sentro, mapapansin natin na ‘yung mga kaulapan ay tumatama na nga sa ilang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao area,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said in a public briefing.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
Residents in the said areas are warned of possible strong winds within the next 36 hours, which may result in minimal to minor damages to life and property.
Based on the track forecast, PAGASA said Ada is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours or by Thursday afternoon, which may warrant the raising of TCWS No. 2 in some areas and the inclusion of more areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
Perez said that while Ada is likely to remain over the Philippine Sea over the rest of the forecast period, it may still pass close or make landfall in some areas due to the area of probability.
“Hindi natin niru-rule out ‘yung possibility na puwedeng mag-landfall sa may bandang Eastern Visayas o sa may bandang Bicol Region. So dapat maghanda po ‘yung mga kababayan natin… sa senaryo ng posibleng pag-landfall,” he continued.
Ada is forecast to make its closest approach over the east of Virac, Catanduanes on Saturday, Jan. 17.
The weather disturbance will also bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur until Thursday afternoon.
-av
