(Eagle News) – Tropical Storm Urduja remained almost stationary off the coast of Eastern Samar where storm signal number 2 had been raised, along with Northern Samar, Samar and Biliran, according to PAGASA’s latest update.
These areas will have winds from 61 up to 120 kilometers per hour in the next 24 hours.
PAGASA, the country’s weather bureau, also raised signal number 1 over 8 areas in Luzon (Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Romblon, and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands) and six areas in the Visayas (Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, and Northern Iloilo). These areas will have up to 60 kph winds in the next 36 hours.
The slow-moving Urduja is expected to make landfall over the Northern Samar – Eastern Samar area between tomorrow morning and afternoon (December 16).
It has moderate to heavy estimated rainfall within its 500-kilometer diameter.
As of 7:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm “URDUJA” was estimated based on all available data at 205 km East of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (11.6 °N, 127.3 °E), according to PAGASA.
It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, and is forecase to move even slower northwest at 5 kph, from the previous 7 kph.
Forecasters warned that scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and is expected to prevail over Bicol Region and the rest of Visayas within the next 24 hours.
“Residents of these areas must undertake appropriate measures against flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local government and disaster risk reduction and management offices,” it said.
“Sea travel remains risky over the eastern seaboards of Bicol Region and of Visayas due to the approaching Tropical Storm,” PAGASA added.
