Auring Strengthens into Tropical Storm

The Philippines' first cyclone of 2021, Auring, has strengthened into a tropical storm, weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday as it warned of heavy rainfall over the weekend.

Auring, according to PAGASA, intensified into a tropical storm at 8 a.m. Thursday and may further strengthen into a severe tropical storm before landfall over Caraga on either Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, and is currently moving slowly in a northwestward direction.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the center of the storm was spotted at 685 kilometers east, southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, PAGASA said. 

No tropical cyclone warning signal has been raised so far but PAGASA warned of possible heavy rainfall over the Southern Tagalog Region (Calabarzon), Bicol, Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands over the weekend.

Residents living in the said areas are advised to take precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides.