Ada weakens; NDRRMC checking 2 dead in Sorsogon

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January 19, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ada slightly weakened yesterday as it continued to move slowly northeastward over the sea northeast of Catanduanes, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Reports of two deaths due to a landslide on Saturday night in Barangay Bariis in Matnog, Sorsogon are being verified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The center of Ada was last located about 205 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph. The storm was moving northeastward slowly, with strong to gale-force winds extending as far as 350 kilometers from the center.

PAGASA maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, including Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Caramoan, San Jose, Siruma and Tinambac, where strong winds pose minimal to minor threats to life and property within the next 36 hours.

The weather bureau also warned that the northeast monsoon, enhanced by Ada’s circulation, will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over parts of Northern Luzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas until tomorrow, especially in exposed coastal and upland areas.

A minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, with peak heights of up to 2.0 meters, was forecast over low-lying and exposed coastal communities of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes within the next 24 hours.

Rough to moderate sea conditions are expected over several coastal waters, with waves reaching up to 4.0 meters along the seaboards of Isabela and eastern mainland Cagayan. PAGASA advised operators of small sea craft, including motorbancas, not to venture out to sea under these conditions.

The NDRRMC said the storm affected 7,170 families or 10,249 individuals in Bicol and Caraga.

At least 50 families or 82 individuals were pre-emptively evacuated as a precautionary measure while 71 areas were reported flooded.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also reported significant maritime disruptions due to the storm which affected 21 ports across Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Southern Tagalog.

The PCG said a total of 10,330 passengers, 2,985 rolling cargoes, 10 vessels and seven motorbancas were stranded, while 44 vessels and 18 motorbancas sought shelter due to the storm.

PAGASA said Ada is expected to remain a tropical storm while moving east of Luzon before weakening into a tropical depression tomorrow and further into a low-pressure area by Wednesday, although changes in its track and intensity remain possible. –  Pia Lee-Brago