The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has called on local government units in Eastern Visayas to stay alert for possible flash floods and landslides due to Tropical Depression Agaton.
In an advisory issued on Saturday, the RDRRMC urged local authorities to continuously monitor for updates on this weather disturbance.
“The tropical depression is expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Possible impacts include flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy rains,” the RDRRMC said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands on Saturday morning after the low pressure area (LPA) east of Eastern Samar, which has affected the region in the past days, intensified into a tropical depression.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of Tropical Depression Agaton was last spotted 130 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of early Saturday.
Rains may trigger flooding in major rivers in the Eastern Visayas region, PAGASA warned.
In an advisory, the weather bureau identified several rivers in six provinces that would likely be affected by the downpour — Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; and Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar.
Other rivers include Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga, and Jibatan in Samar; Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and all river systems in Biliran.
People living in low-lying areas near these river systems have been advised to stay alert for possible flash floods.
Those residing near mountain slopes have been told to watch out for signs of landslides.
Several areas in the region have been experiencing heavy rains since April 6 due to the LPA.
Source: Philippines News Agency