MANILA, Philippines - Five provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao are under public storm warning signal no.1 as the low pressure area off Surigao City has developed into Tropical Depression "Gorio," the state weather bureau said Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Northern Samar, Western Samar and Eastern Samar in the Visayas, and Dinagat Island and Siargao Island in Mindanao are now under public storm signal no. 1.
Gorio, the seventh tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, may bring rainfall of 5-15 millimeters per hour (moderate - heavy) within the 500-kilometer diameter, according to PAGASA.
As of 4 a.m. Friday, Gorio was estimated at 500 km east of Surigao City with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour.
PAGASA said Gorio will enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the Visayas and Mindanao.
Weather forecaster Buddy Javier said in a report that Gorio is expected to make landfall in southern Luzon particularly in Aurora province and is also expected to intensify into a tropical storm since it is staying in the sea.
In an advisory, PAGASA said Gorio is projected to move northwest at 7 kph. It is expected to be at 60 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Saturday morning and at 340 km east of Legaspi City by Sunday morning.
PAGASA said with Gorio's slow movement, it is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday heading towards China.
The agency advised residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides.