MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - Auring weakened into a tropical depression late Sunday as it continued to move towards the area of Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, and Leyte for its initial landfall, the state weather bureau said.

The country's first storm this year was last estimated 195 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte as of 4 a.m. Monday, PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

It was packing maximum winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph while moving west northwest at 15 kph, it added.

Auring was forecast to hit land in the area of Dinagat Islands-Eastern Samar (southern portion including Homonhon Island)-Leyte in the next 6 to 12 hours, according to PAGASA.

PAGASA also said the tropical cyclone may further weaken before its landfall due to persistent high vertical wind shear associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon.

"Post-landfall, Auring is forecast to weaken considerably due to significant terrain interaction and the increasing wind shear, leading to deterioration into a remnant low within 24 hours, possibly sooner," the weather bureau said.

On Monday, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Bicol region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Aurora and the rest of Visayas, Mimaropa, and Calabarzon.

PAGASA warned that scattered flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides may occur in affected areas during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

• Thousands of families evacuate in Visayas, Mindanao as Auring landfall nears

"Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels," it said.

PAGASA placed the following areas under tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 where 30 to 60 kph winds in 36 hours were expected to prevail:

LUZON

• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Albay
• Catanduanes
• eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, Sagnay, Buhi, Iriga City, Nabua, Bato, Balatan)

VISAYAS

• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• northern and eastern portions of Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, Tanjay City, Bais City, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso)
• northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Murcia, San Carlos City, Bacolod City, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Talisay City, Silay City, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Escalante City, Toboso)
• eastern portion of Iloilo (Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, San Rafael, Barotac Viejo, Banate, Passi City, San Enrique, Dingle, Lemery, Ajuy, Sara, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Estancia, Balasan, Carles)
• eastern portion of Capiz (Cuartero, Dumarao, Ma-Ayon, Pontevedra, Panay, President Roxas, Panitan, Dao, Pilar)

MINDANAO

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Lianga, Barobo, San Agustin, Marihatag, Cagwait, Bayabas, Tago, San Miguel, Tandag City, Cortes, Lanuza, Carmen, Madrid, Cantilan, Carrascal), Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur (Bayugan City, Prosperidad, Sibagat)
• eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Medina, Talisayan, Claveria, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Binuangan, Salay)
• Camiguin

PAGASA said the combined effects of the northeast monsoon and strong breeze from Auring to near-gale conditions with occasionally higher gusts, may hit areas under TCWS no. 1, as well as over the southern portion of Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Cuyo Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, and the rest of Visayas and Bicol Region.

The weather agency warned against sailing in affected areas, especially those using small seacraft.

"Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said.

Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for more updates.

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