'Agaton' weakens to a tropical depression
MANILA, Philippines — Cyclone Agaton weakened into tropical depression from tropical storm Monday morning as it moved over the coastal waters of Leyte, state forecasters said.
In a bulletin issued past 8 a.m., PAGASA said Agaton was last spotted over the coastal waters of Tanauan, Leyte.
Its maximum sustained winds decreased to 55 kilometers per hour near the center from 65 kph. The cyclone’s gustiness was also down to 75 kph from 90 kph.
PAGASA placed the following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:
- Southern portion of Masbate (Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer, Cawayan)
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Northern Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan) including Camotes Island
- Eastern portion of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Trinidad, Ubay, San Miguel, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Mabini)
- Surigao del Norte
- Dinagat Islands
Under TCWS No. 1, strong winds will prevail or are expected within the next 36 hours. The state weather bureau noted the potential impacts of Agaton’s winds are “minimal to minor threat to life and property.”
In the next 24 hours, rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 4.5 meters) will prevail over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No. 1. Such conditions may be risky for most sea vessels.
According to PAGASA, moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains will be experienced today in the following areas:
- Eastern Visayas
- Masbate
- Sorsogon
- Catanduanes
- Northern and central portions of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will affect the following areas:
- Dinagat Islands
- Oriental Mindoro
- Marinduque
- Romblon
- Quezon
- Rest of Bicol region and Visayas
“‘Agaton’ is forecast to slowly loop in the vicinity of northeastern portion of Leyte and the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar before emerging over the Philippine Sea by tomorrow evening as another tropical cyclone with international name ‘Malakas’ begins to interact with it,” PAGASA said.
The onslaught of ‘Agaton’ resulted in one reported death in the Davao region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. The first cyclone of the year also affected 45,588 individuals. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
Tropical Depression Agaton (international name Megi) is the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines in 2022. Bookmark this page for updates. — Main photo: JMA
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolence to President Rodrigo Duterte over the aftermath of tropical cyclone Agaton (international name Megi).
On behalf of the Chinese government, Xi expressed deep condolences to the victims of the typhoon, the Chinese Embassy says.
"Xi Jinping said, he was shocked to learn that the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which has caused heavy casualties and property losses," the embassy says.
Xi Jinping Sends Message of Condolence to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over Typhoon Disaster in the Philippines pic.twitter.com/5rTrPfWEEN
— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) April 19, 2022
Pope Francis expresses solidarity with all those suffering in the wake of cyclone Agaton (international name Megi).
In a letter addressed to CBCP President Pablo Virgilio David conveyed through Apostolic Nuncio Charles Brown, Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin says the Pope "willingly invokes upon all the Filipino people God's blessings of strength and peace."
"He also offers the assurance of prayers for the dead, injured, and displaced as well as those engaged in recovery efforts," Cardinal Parolin says.
The death toll from landslides and flooding in the Philippines triggered by tropical storm Megi (locally named Agaton) hit 115 on Thursday, official figures show, as more bodies were found in mud-caked villages.
Scores of people are still missing and feared dead after the strongest storm to hit the archipelago nation this year dumped heavy rain over several days, forcing tens of thousands into evacuation centres. — AFP
The death toll from landslides and floods in the Philippines rises to 58 on Wednesday, official tallies show, as rescuers dug up more bodies with their bare hands in villages crushed by rain-induced avalanches of mud and earth.
Most of the deaths from tropical storm Agaton (international name Megi) — the strongest to hit the disaster-prone archipelago this year — were in the central province of Leyte where a series of landslides has devastated communities.
At least 47 people died and 27 were missing after waves of sodden soil smashed into farming settlements over the weekend, local authorities said. Just over 100 people were injured. — AFP
The death toll from "Agaton" has reached 43, NDRRMC says.
The council also reports seven missing persons and eight injured individuals as of April 13.
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