Severe tropical storm “Siony” (international name “Atsani”) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday but the low-pressure area off the country’s eastern coast is moving fast toward the Visayas.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Siony no longer directly affects the country’s weather conditions.
But the LPA 465 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, or 440 kms east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, is seen to develop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours and will be named “Tonyo.”
It is likely to reach Eastern Visayas Saturday afternoon or evening as an LPA or tropical depression.
“Due to its current speed and direction of movement, there is a possibility that this weather disturbance will be upgraded into a tropical depression when it is near or over the Philippine landmass,” PAGASA said.
Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 will be immediately raised once Tonyo develops.
PAGASA said the LPA is already bringing moderate to heavy rains over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Romblon, Sorsogon, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, and Dinagat Islands.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will also affect Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Storm-affected areas were advised to take necessary precautionary measures due to already saturated soil from recent tropical 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.
PAGASA said the LPA and the easterlies, or the warm and humid winds originating from the Pacific, will bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of northern Quezon, including the northern and eastern coastal waters of Polillo Islands and Camarines Norte, northern seaboard of Camarines Sur, northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, and eastern seaboards of Albay including Rapu-Rapu Islands, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Islands.
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. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)
