TROPICAL Depression "Amang" has slightly accelerated as it moved closer toward Caraga, the state weather bureau Sunday, January 20.
As of 10 a.m., the center of Amang was located at 165 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, or 280 kilometers east southeast of Surigao City, Surigao.
The tropical depression, which is moving west northwest, is packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 60 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) Number 1 remained hoisted over Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, eastern Bohol, northern Cebu, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Camiguin.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said TCWS Number 1 may also be raised over Northern Samar Sunday afternoon or early evening.
It added that Amang is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Norte mainland-Siargao Islands between Sunday afternoon or tonight.
Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, northern Negros provinces, northern Cebu, and Bohol Sunday.
On Monday, January 21, moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Dinagat Islands, while on Tuesday, January 22, moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Eastern Visayas and Bicol, said Pagasa.
"Residents of the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides are advised to take appropriate actions, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, especially the severe weather bulletins and the heavy rainfall warnings from Pagasa Regional Services Divisions," the weather bureau added.
It also warned fisherfolk and those with small seacraft against venturing out over the seaboards of areas under TCWS #1, the northern seaboard of northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to the approaching tropical depression and the surge of northeast monsoon. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)