Bagyong Agaton Will Be Stronger Than Yolanda?

Bagyong Agaton will be the name of the first tropical cyclone that will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.

PAGASA said the above forecast that went viral is a hoax.

There is a viral Facebook post stating that Bagyong Agaton will hit the Philippines on January 16 or 17 and will be stronger than Bagyong Yolanda, the super typhoon that claimed thousands of lives in Visayas in early November. The said prediction has caused panic among netizens, with some urging the government to take action.

State weather bureau PAGASA has come forward to deny the report. It said that there is a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) that has built up east of the Philippine archipelago, but since it is still far, it is too early to tell whether it will pack more strength than Yolanda.

"We have detected an LPA based from our different satellite models but its quite far from PAR (more than 3000-4000 km East from Philippine landmass) and as of now, there is no enough proof to conclude that this will turn into a super typhoon like Typhoon Yolanda," it said.

It added, "We advised that don't easily believe on rumors and statement without concrete basis. Keep calm and don't panic."

In addition, the LPA may dissolve before it will develop into a cyclone, PAGASA said.