By J. Jala | 12:30 AM February 20, 2021
Bohol and many areas in Visayas and Mindanao were placed under the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 warning as of Friday night, as Tropical Storm Auring maintained its strength.
The latest severe weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the following areas are now under Signal No. 1:
Visayas
Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor
Mindanao
Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur
Pagasa said that Auring still packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
It was last seen 435 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan of Surigao del Sur, moving very slowly over eastern Mindanao waters.
State meteorologists meanwhile said it is possible for Auring to remain as a tropical storm while crossing the country, possibly due to dry winds from the northeast monsoon or amihan. However, Pagasa does not rule out a scenario where it would re-intensify into a severe tropical storm.
As of now until Saturday morning, Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Southern Leyte would only experience light to moderate rains, which at times heavy rains.
But as Auring moves closer to the Caraga landmass between Saturday morning (Feb. 20) and Sunday morning (Feb. 21), heavy to intense rains would be felt in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains would persist over the rest of Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
During the same time, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, the rest of Northern Mindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, and Davao City would be affected by light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
Auring is then expected to make landfall and graze the northern tip of Caraga by Sunday morning (Feb. 21).