In its 8 a.m. Wednesday bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Amang was located as of 7 a.m. Wednesday over the coastal waters of Virac, Catanduanes.
The tropical cyclone was packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa, and was almost stationary.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 has been raised over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Ticao Island, Burias Island, the eastern portion of Laguna (San Pablo City, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Pila, Liliw, Magdalena, Majayjay, Luisiana, Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac), Aurora, Quezon, and the eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Jala-Jala) in Luzon.
These areas may experience strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) associated with the tropical depression that may cause minimal to minor impacts to life and property, said Pagasa.
It added that for the next 24 hours, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Quezon will experience heavy rainfall (50-100 millimeters), while for the next there days, there will be heavy rains in Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and the southern portion of Aurora.
“Under these conditions, isolated flashfloods and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” said the weather bureau.
It also said that Amang was forecast to be tracking generally west northwestward in the next 36 hours, “which will bring its center over the Camarines Provinces, Lamon Bay, and mainland Quezon (with the possibility of passing near or over Polillo Islands).”
“Considering the weak and disorganized nature of this depression, considerable changes in the track forecast of succeeding bulletins are not ruled out,” it said.
The tropical depression was forecast to weaken into a low pressure area by Thursday, April 13, possibly earlier, due to the combined effects of land interaction, dry air intrusion, and increasing vertical wind shear. (LMY)