TROPICAL Depression Agaton (Megi) weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) Tuesday night, April 12, 2022.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said, however, that the threat of heavy rainfall continues despite Agaton’s weakening.
It said that as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the LPA was located over the coastal waters of Guiuan, Eastern Samar still with central pressure of 1004 hPa.
It was moving southeastward slowly, the weather bureau said.
Pagasa has lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals earlier raised in some provinces in the country.
It said the remnant circulation of Agaton was forecast to track eastward toward the Philippine Sea away from the Samar-Leyte landmass as it merges itself with the larger circulation of Typhoon Basyang (Malakas) outside the Philippine area of responsibility.
But Pagasa said that from Tuesday night until Wednesday evening, April 13, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are still possible over Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros Provinces.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will also be experienced over Mimaropa, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, and the rest of Bicol Region and Visayas, it added.
“Under these conditions and considering significant antecedent rainfall, scattered to widespread flooding (including flooding) and rain-induced landslides are still expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps,” said the weather bureau.
It also warned the public that despite the lifting of wind signals, occasionally gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength may still be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
In the next 24 hours, rough seas (2.8 to 3.7 meters) will prevail over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, said Pagasa, adding that these conditions may be risky for most seacrafts.
Mariners of small seacrafts were advised to remain in port or take shelter, while those operating larger vessels were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.