[REPOST] ‘Auring’ to make landfall over Surigao on Sunday, Signal No. 1 raised in 5 areas

A low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao has developed into a tropical depression, and is expected to make landfall over the Surigao provinces on Sunday night.

If it does not make landfall on Sunday, it can also do so by early Monday morning, said weather bureau PAGASA.

Named “Auring”, the tropical depression is seen to deliver moderate to heavy rain within its 300-kilometer diameter.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) Number 1 has been raised over Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Island Province.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said residents of areas with TCWS No. 1 should be wary of possible flash floods and landslides.

Fisherfolk and small seacraft should also avoid venturing out over the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.

Auring sports maximum winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is seen to move west-northwest at 7 kph, and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO) Abel de Guzman, at least 12 barangays in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur were affected by floods after the water level of Tago River rose to a “high level” due to heavy rain.

The PDRRMO is also closely monitoring the situation in municipalities of Agusan del Norte especially the low lying barangays.

As of this time, while no flooded areas and evacuations were reported, the local government in Agusan del Norte called off classes in all levels Saturday.

The Agusan del Sur government meanwhile assured that it is has put its search and rescue team on standby, and is ready to respond to possible emergencies.

According to the team’s officer-in-charge Oliver Binancilan, they are monitoring low-lying areas particularly in Rosario, Bunawan and Veruela.

No preemptive evacuations were staged as of this writing. –with reports from Charmane Awitan and May Diez, ABS-CBN News