By Emily Blanc
MANILA — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday said tropical cyclone Ada (international name: Nokaen) has weakened into a tropical depression.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA reported that Ada now has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts of up to 70 kph. The system was last spotted around 380 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, moving northeast at a speed of 10 kph.
PAGASA said no tropical cyclone wind signal has been hoisted in any area of the country.
However, the weather bureau warned that the northeast monsoon, or amihan, enhanced by Ada’s outer circulation, will continue to bring strong to gale-force wind gusts over several provinces, including Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Aurora, the Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Northern Samar.
Sea travel remains risky in various coastal waters, particularly along the seaboards of Isabela, mainland Cagayan, Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, northern Aurora, the Polillo Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes, PAGASA added.
Small fishing boats and motor bancas were advised to stay in port as rough to very rough sea conditions may prevail.
PAGASA said Ada is likely to weaken further and could dissipate into a low-pressure area by Wednesday. /ia
