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PAGASA: 18 areas in Visayas, Mindanao under Signal No. 1


UPDATED 1:00 p.m. - More areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as tropical depression "Ramon" moved closer to Hinatuan (Surigao del Sur) before noon on Tuesday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Ramon" was estimated at 245 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan as of 10:00 a.m. On its 11:00 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said "Ramon" packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and was moving west-northwest at 17 kilometers per hour (kph).
View Areas under Storm Signal no. 1 in a larger map The 18 areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are:
  • Eastern Samar
  • Western Samar
  • Leyte Provinces
  • Bohol
  • Biliran
  • Camotes Island
  • Northern Cebu
  • Northern Negros
  • Northern Iloilo
  • Capiz
  • Masbate
  • Ticao Island
  • Surigao Del Norte including Siargao Island
  • Surigao Del Sur
  • Agusan Del Norte
  • Agusan Del Sur
  • Dinagat Group of Islands
  • Camiguin Island
PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 against possible flash floods and landslides. It said "Ramon" may bring five to 25 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 300-km diameter. By Wednesday morning, "Ramon" is expected to be 30 km north of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. By Thursday morning it is expected to be 30 km south of Romblon. On Friday morning it is expected to be 120 km southwest of Iba, Zambales. Possible path of "Ramon" Meanwhile, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's latest update indicated "Ramon" is still likely to pass through Northeastern Mindanao and go through the Visayas. It also indicated a possibility "Ramon" may pass near Southern Luzon near Metro Manila. Meanwhile, Philippine weather forecasters said there's a small chance "Ramon" may change course and hit the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon. PAGASA forecaster Rene Paciente although the chance is very small, weather forecasters still cannot discount them. "Posibleng magbago ang track niya," Paciente said at a press briefing, portions of which were aired on dzBB radio Tuesday morning. One scenario is that "Ramon" may affect Metro Manila and exit via Zambales or Bataan in Central Luzon, he said. "Ramon" may also affect Bicol, including the Camarines provinces, Quezon, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan, he said. "Sa ngayon maliit ang chance niya," he said. Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. also cited one model showing "Ramon" making landfall on Samar, and going through Bicol and exiting via Zambales or Pangasinan. "Pag yan ang nangyari, ibig sabihin niyan dadaan siya sa Central Luzon, yan ang dapat nating bantayan. Bukod sa malapit sa Metro Manila, alam ninyo naman ang ating dams sa Central Luzon puno ng tubig. Ayaw natin ngayon magkaroon ng bagyo na napakalapit sa Central Luzon," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. However, for now, most of their numerical models still indicate "Ramon" making landfall at Southern Leyte and pass Cebu and Iloilo before exiting via Mindoro, Yumul said. "Pero ganoon man din, siyempre nagbabantay tayo. Sinisigurado natin kung anumang pagbago na tinatahak ni tropical depression 'Ramon,' mapapaalam natin sa inyo at sa ating kababayan," he said. NDRRMC preparations for "Ramon" Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said various government agencies have made preparations for "Ramon." The NDRRMC said the Department of Health is on "Blue" Alert to make sure there are enough personnel and medicines in health facilities. The Philippine Coast Guard is on heightened alert and has directed "move proactive steps" to notify or recall fishermen before the onset of severe weather conditions. For its part, the Philippine National Police directed its regional offices in the Visayas and Mindanao to take precautionary measures and disaster preparedness activities. The Department of Public Works and Highways instructed its district engineering offices in Eastern Mindanao to deploy maintenance point persons in flood- and landslide-prone sections. - VVP, GMA News
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