Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — Tropical Depression Amang continues to move “very slowly” over northern Camarines Sur near San Miguel Bay, the state weather bureau said in an update.
In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Amang was spotted over Tinambac, Camarines Sur and slowly moving northwestward with sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.The storm first hit land in Panganiban, Catanduanes then in Presentacion, Camarines Sur.It made another landfall in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.Signal No. 1 is raised in Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Laguna (Cavinti, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac), Aurora, Quezon (Buenavista, Calauag, Infanta, Lopez, Guinayangan, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Mauban, General Nakar, Perez, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, Tagkawayan, San Narciso), including Polillo Islands.Also under Signal No. 1 are Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Rodriguez, Baras, City of Antipolo), Bulacan (Norzagaray, Doña Remedios Trinidad), and Nueva Ecija (Gabaldon, Bongabon, Laur, General Tinio).
Amang is expected to head northwestward in the next 24 hours, and is seen to pass over Camarines Norte and northern Quezon.
“Considering the weak and disorganized nature of this depression, considerable changes in the track forecast of succeeding bulletins are not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its latest update.
The state weather bureau said Amang is forecast to weaken into a low pressure area by Thursday, possibly earlier due to “the combined effects of land interaction, dry air intrusion, and increasing vertical wind shear.”
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines earlier said it implemented the necessary precautions to minimize the impact of Amang on its facilities.
It includes ensuring the reliability of communications equipment, availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damage to facilities, and the positioning of line crews in strategic areas to facilitate immediate restoration work.
Meanwhile, several towns in affected areas have implemented class suspensions due to the effect of the storm.
In an interview on CNN Philippines’ Balitaan Wednesday, Lukad De Lima — Camarines Norte Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness chairman — said several families are now in evacuation centers as a precaution.
“Based on reports, meron tayo sa bayan ng Mercedes as of the moment 60 individuals, 21 families andoon sa evacuation center sa barangay hall at sa eskwelahan,” he said, adding the evacuation was pre-emptive.
[Translation: As of the moment, based on reports, in the town of Mercedes there are 60 individuals, 21 families at the evacuation center in the barangay hall and school.]
