By JHON ALDRIN CASINAS
Tropical storm “Auring” is forecast to make landfall over the Caraga region today.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Auring maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving east at 15 kph.
The State weather agency said the tropical storm may further weaken as it approaches the country.
Auring is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of the Caraga region this afternoon or tonight, then cross Visayas and Region 4-B or the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) area throughout the remainder of Sunday through Monday.
“Auring is more likely to remain as a tropical storm until it makes landfall over Caraga. However, there is an increasing likelihood that the storm will weaken into a tropical depression before making landfall,” PAGASA said.
“Nevertheless, this storm will likely weaken considerably due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear during this passage over the archipelago and may reach tropical depression category by Monday,” it added.
At 10 a.m. yesterday, the center of the storm was 595 kilometers (kms) east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Signal No. 1 is up in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur.
Based on the forecast track, Auring is estimated to gradually move northwest in the next 12 hours before accelerating.
It is estimated to be 240 kms east-southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte this morning and 80 kms east of Roxas City, Capiz tomorrow morning.
“From storm intensity, it is possible for Auring to become tropical depression when it hits the landmass,” weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said.
“And by Tuesday, we expect it to possibly dissipate and become a low-pressure area at around 30 kilometers east of Coron, Palawan,” he added.
