Tropical Depression Ada has maintained its strength while moving near Eastern Visayas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday. Storm Signal No. 1 has been raised in more than a dozen areas.
PAGASA said in its 11:00 a.m. advisory that Ada had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.
It was last located 420 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour.
As the storm remains over the ocean and continues to gain strength, it could intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 to 24 hours, prompting the hoisting of Hurricane Signal No. 2 in affected areas.
As of the forecast period, PAGASA said Storm Signal No. 1 is in effect in more than a dozen areas, including Sorsogon, the southeastern part of Albay, and Catanduanes.
Similarly, it is also effective over Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Eastern Part of Biliran, Eastern Part of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Under Storm Signal Number 1, minimal to moderate wind threats are expected within 36 hours, which may cause minor damage to infrastructure made of light materials.
In a separate advisory, PAGASA also issued a rainfall warning in areas affected by Tropical Depression Ada.
Yellow rainfall warning is in effect from Thursday to Friday in 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 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, resulting in localized flooding and landslides in hazard-prone areas.
Meanwhile, an orange rainfall warning is in effect in Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar from Friday to Saturday afternoon.
PAGASA said warnings were also issued for Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
Under orange rainfall warning, heavy rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters is expected, which could cause widespread flooding and landslides in susceptible areas.
As far as its track is concerned, Tropical Depression Ada is estimated to be about 265 kilometers east of Guiyuan, Eastern Samar by Friday morning.
By Saturday morning, it may move about 165 kilometers east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar, and by Sunday morning, it may move about 150 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.
By Monday, it is expected to be about 500 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.
PAGASA said that, as of the forecast period, the cyclone is not expected to make landfall, although there remains a possibility that it could make landfall in parts of Eastern Visayas or the Bicol region. — Age Adrian A Eva