Amang may hit N. Samar Saturday; Signal No. 1 in 11 areas

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – State weather bureau PAGASA raised public storm warning signal number 1 over 11 areas on Friday morning, January 16, as Tropical Storm Amang (international name Mekkhala) slowed down. 

The tropical storm may hit Northern Samar on Saturday evening, January 17, PAGASA added. 

As of 10 am Friday, Amang was located at 560 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.

The tropical storm slowed down as it continues to move west towards Eastern Visayas at 15 km/h, with heavy to intense rainfall (7.5 to 20 mm) estimated within its 300 km diameter. 

Signal number 1, with winds of 30 to 60 km/h expected in at least 36 hours, is now raised over the following areas:

• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Burias Island
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao Island
• Camarines Sur
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte

PAGASA warned residents in low lying and mountainous areas against possible flashfloods and landslides. Ocean waves may also reach up to 6.5 meters.

There is also a possibility of raising signal number 1 over Camarines Norte, Marinduque and Southern Quezon in the next 6 hours. 

Amang is expected to be at 180 km east northeast of Borongan City by Saturday morning, January 17; at 40 km northeast of Legazpi City by Sunday morning, January 18 and; in the vicinity of Baler, Aurora by Monday morning, January 19.

“Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and of Mindanao,” PAGASA said. 

The next bulletin on Amang will be issued 5 pm Friday. – Rappler.com

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