Tropical Depression Ada has maintained its strength because it moves near Eastern Visayas, in response to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday. Storm Signal No. 1 has been raised over a dozen areas.
Ada continues to pack maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of as much as 70 kph, PAGASA said in its 11:00 a.m. advisory.
It was last situated 420 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.
Because the storm stays over the ocean and continues to achieve strength, it could intensify right into a tropical storm inside the following 12 to 24 hours, which can prompt the hoisting of Storm Signal No. 2 over affected areas.
As of the forecast period, PAGASA said Storm Signal No. 1 is in effect over a dozen areas, including Sorsogon, the southeastern portion of Albay, and Catanduanes.
It’s likewise in effect over Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, the eastern portion of Biliran, the eastern portion of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
Under Storm Signal No. 1, minimal to minor wind threats are expected inside 36 hours, which can cause slight damage to infrastructure fabricated from light materials.
In a separate advisory, PAGASA also raised rainfall warnings over areas affected by Tropical Depression Ada.
Yellow rainfall warnings are in effect from Thursday until Friday over Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan del Norte.
These areas may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall inside 24 hours, which could end in localized flooding and landslides in hazard-prone areas.
Meanwhile, an orange rainfall warning is in effect from Friday until Saturday noon over Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.
The warning can also be raised over Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes from Saturday noon until Sunday noon, PAGASA said.
Under an orange rainfall warning, heavier rainfall starting from 100 to 200 millimeters is anticipated, which can result in widespread flooding and landslides in highly susceptible areas.
As for its track, Tropical Depression Ada is forecast to be about 265 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Friday morning.
By Saturday morning, it could move to around 165 kilometers east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, and by Sunday morning, about 150 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.
By Monday, it is anticipated to be roughly 500 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.
PAGASA said that, as of the forecast period, the cyclone isn’t expected to make landfall, although there stays a possibility that it could make landfall over parts of Eastern Visayas or the Bicol Region. — Edg Adrian A. Eva