TWELVE areas in the Philippines are now under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Ada maintains its strength while moving over the Philippine Sea, east of Surigao del Norte, according to the 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The areas currently under Signal No. 1 are Sorsogon, the southeastern portion of Albay (specifically Rapu-Rapu, Manito, Legazpi City, Bacacay, and Santo Domingo), Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, the eastern portion of Biliran (Maripipi, Kawayan, Culaba, Caibiran, and Cabucgayan), the eastern portion of Leyte, the eastern portion of Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
As of the latest update, Ada was located 420 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph, and it is moving west northwestward at a speed of 10 kph. PAGASA forecasts that the highest possible wind signal to be raised during the forecast period is Signal No. 2.
The agency also indicated that Ada may intensify into a tropical storm within the day and is expected to continue strengthening as it moves over the Philippine Sea. PAGASA projects that Ada may pass close to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar by Friday evening or Saturday morning, with a possible landfall scenario over Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region.
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