Tropical Update (TD Agaton)

Issued (1130 UTC) 730pm PhT 011714

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A Low Pressure Area (Invest 91W) that has been upgraded to Tropical Depression Agaton by PAGASA is currently spinning just east of the Visayas Islands in the Philippines. This same LPA has been lingering over the Philippines for over a week now, bringing widespread rainfall across Mindanao and into Visayas.

IR Image from NOAA

Deaths due to the heavy rains have climbed to more than 30 as of today with many casualties caused by flooding and landslides. Right now, the axis of the heaviest rains are over Samar and Leyte Islands. As much as 100mm of rain could fall over the next 24 hours alone.

Since PAGASA has upgraded the said LPA to TD Agaton, it has raised Public Storm Warning Signal #1 for Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Is., Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Compostella Valley. Residents are advised to stay away from landslide and flood prone areas. Always consul with your local officials for the latest warnings.

Invest 91W (TD Agaton) is forecast to remain near the Philippine Islands over the next 24 hours. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is also expecting this system to slowly gather strength and has issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.

We’ll have another update tomorrow morning.