PAGASA raises signal no. 1 over several areas with arrival of ‘Tonyo’
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 over several areas in Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, and Southern Luzon late Saturday evening as tropical depression “Tonyo” is anticipated to traverse the islands of Luzon in the next few hours.
Signal number 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, central and southern portions of Quezon, central and southern portions of Cavite, central and southern portions of Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island, Calamian Islands, western portion of Northern Samar, northern portion of Samar, northwestern portion of Aklan, and northern portion of Antique.
It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 75 kph.
Shortly after developing into a tropical depression, PAGASA said Tonyo made landfall over Ticao Island around 9 p.m. It was already in the vicinity of Monreal, Masbate at 10 p.m.
The tropical depression may continue to move rapidly west within the next 12 hours, while its center will likely pass close or over Masbate, Romblon, and Oriental Mindoro-Occidental Mindoro.
It could emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Sunday morning and exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday morning.
PAGASA said Tonyo may bring moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains, throughout Sunday over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Romblon, Sorsogon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Aurora, and eastern sections of mainland Cagayan and Isabela.
Light to moderate, with at times heavy rains, may also affect Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Typhoon-battered areas were advised to take necessary precautionary measures due to already saturated soil from recent cyclones Pepito, Quinta, and Rolly.
Likewise, residents in areas that are susceptible to flooding, rain-induced landslides, and sediment-laden stream flow, such as a lahar, were asked to stay vigilant.
Strong winds were also currently affecting areas under signal number 1, while the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will bring strong breeze to near gale conditions over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.
PAGASA said Tonyo and the easterlies, or the warm and humid winds originating from the Pacific, will cause moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Cagayan Valley, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon.
The amihan will also trigger moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern seaboard of mainland Cagayan.
Those using small boats were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea, while inexperienced mariners were recommended to avoid navigating in these conditions.