Weather disturbance named “Urduja” intensified into a tropical storm midday on Thursday and is expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar tomorrow morning, said the state weather bureau.
According to PAGASA’s 2 p.m. bulletin, scattered widespread rains are expected over Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao within 24 hours.
“Residents in these areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said.
Urduja was last located 90 km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Fisherfolk and those with small seacrafts are advised not to set out in the eastern seaboard of Bicol region and Eastern Visayas due to moderate to rough seas caused by the approaching storm.
For his part, Bohol PAGASA officer-in-charge Leonard Samar said that Storm Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:
- Camarines Sur
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northern Cebu
- Bantayan Island, Capiz
- Aklan
- Northern Iloilo
- Samar
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate
However, fastcrafts and other vessels plying seas around Bohol have not yet been grounded as PAGASA has not issued a gale warning.
According to Samar, the storm is moving slowly at 7 kph.
It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility next week. (AD)