Manila: Tropical Storm Ada, internationally known as Nokaen, has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, as reported in the 11 a.m. bulletin by the weather bureau on Friday. The storm was last tracked 325 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, moving northward at 15 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
According to Philippines News Agency, Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted over various areas. In Luzon, these include the eastern portion of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and the eastern portion of mainland Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands. In the Visayas, it affects Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and parts of Leyte and Southern Leyte. In Mindanao, Dinagat Islands and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands are under the same signal warning.
PAGASA has warned that Ada will bring heavy rainfall across several regions, including Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Dinagat Islands. Rough seas are expected to prevail over multiple seaboards, making maritime travel hazardous for small seacraft and motor bancas.
The weather bureau has also indicated a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, with peak heights reaching up to 2 meters over the next 48 hours, affecting low-lying coastal communities across several provinces.
In response to the adverse weather, several local government units in Eastern Visayas have suspended classes. Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan suspended classes at all levels as a precautionary measure. Similarly, Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone halted classes from Thursday afternoon until Friday. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also suspended classes due to the risk of flooding, with similar actions taken in various towns and cities in Leyte, Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.
PAGASA continues to monitor the storm, which remains east of the region, with all provinces under Wind Signal No. 1.
