(Eagle News) — Tropical Depression “Urduja” has accelerated further as it approaches Eastern Samar, where it is expected to make landfall either on Thursday night or Friday morning.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that as of 7 a.m., the center of “Urduja” was located 140 kilometers east of Guiuan, Samar.
The tropical depression was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour.
It is forecast to move in a westward direction at 10 kilometers per hour.
PAGASA said the estimated rainfall amount within the 400-kilometer diameter of the “Urduja” is from moderate to heavy.
Signal number one has been hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan Island, Capiz, Aklan and Northern Iloilo.
Scattered to widespread rains are also expected over Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao within 24 hours.
According to PAGASA, residents in these areas should look out for possible flashfloods and landslides.
“Fisherfolks and those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas due to moderate to rough seas associated with the approaching tropical depression,” PAGASA added.