ATROPICAL depression off eastern Mindanao has entered the Philippine area of responsibility, the first in the country for this year, and has been given the name “Auring.”
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Auring is forecast to make landfall in Caraga region on Saturday night or Sunday morning as a tropical storm.
Auring was monitored some 1,500 km off eastern Mindanao on Tuesday, intensified into a tropical depression at around 2 a.m. yesterday and entered the PAR six hours later.
As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Auring was some 700 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving west northwest at 15kph.
PAGASA said Auring is currently not affecting any part of the country.
“However, localities in Visayas, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur, especially those situated in areas identified in hazard maps to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, are advised to take appropriate preparatory measures due to increasing likelihood of heavy rains and gusty conditions associated with the potential passage of a tropical cyclone during the weekend through Monday,” PAGASA added.
PAGASA said it may declare Signal No. 1 in several provinces in Caraga and Davao region as early as Friday, which may result in the disruption of maritime activities.
