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| Tropical Depression Amang gains strength as it heads towards Catanduanes, prompting Pagasa to place several provinces under Signal No. 1. Photo: Himawari-8 |
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, that Tropical Depression Amang is gaining strength as it approaches Catanduanes.
The storm is the first of the year and was last spotted 270 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving westward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph), as per the 11:00 am weather bulletin today.
The wind speed of the tropical depression is at 55 kph, with a gustiness of up to 70 kph. As a result, Pagasa has placed several provinces under Signal No. 1, including Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.
The weather bureau said that areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds, ranging from a strong breeze to near gale strength, associated with Tropical Depression Amang.
While it poses a minimal to a minor threat to life and property, the agency warned that the wind signal may be raised in other localities in Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region in succeeding bulletins.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has urged residents in the affected areas to prepare for possible flooding and landslides. The cl also advised fishermen and small seacrafts to avoid sailing in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas' eastern seaboard due to rough seas. —iTacloban