TROPICAL Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) Number 1 has been raised in northern Cebu and 12 other areas in the country as Tropical Depression "Amang" heads toward Surigao del Norte Sunday morning, January 20.

Placed under TCWS Number 1 are the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Bohol, as well as northern Cebu in the Visayas, and Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Camiguin in Mindanao.

As of 7 a.m. Sunday, the eye of Amang was located at 360 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 60 km/h.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Amang was forecast to move west northwest ath 25 km/h.

The tropical depression is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Norte mainland-Siargao Islands between afternoon and evening Sunday, January 20, said Pagasa.

"Beginning today (January 20), moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Bicol Region, Southern Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon," Pagasa said in its 8 a.m. advisory.

On Monday, January 21, Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Visayas, Bicol Region, Southern Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon.

On Tuesday (January 22), moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas.

"Residents in these areas, especially those living in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides are advised to take precautionary measures," said Pagasa.

The weather bureau also warned fisherfolk and those with small seacraft against venturing out over the seaboards of areas under TCWS Number 1, the northern seaboard of northern Luzon, and eastern seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to the approaching tropical depression and the surge of northeast monsoon.

Pagasa said Amang will be at 25 kilometers north of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte by Monday morning. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)