THE low pressure area (LPA) that was spotted east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, has developed into a tropical depression and was named "Urduja," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The state weather bureau said Urduja may intensify into a tropical storm within 36 hours.

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, Urduja was located at 480 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 65 kph.

Urduja was forecast to move north northwest at 6 kph. It was expected to bring moderate to heavy rains in areas within its 250-kilometer diameter.

Pagasa advised fishermen and those with small sea craft not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Caraga due to moderate to rough seas associated with the approaching tropical depression.

Below is the track of Urduja:

- 24 hour (Wednesday afternoon): 495 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar

- 48 hour (Thursday afternoon): 395 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar

- 72 hour (Friday afternoon): 395 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar

- 96 hour (Saturday afternoon): 130 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar

- 120 hour (Sunday afternoon): in the vicinity of Buhi, Camarines Sur

No tropical cyclone warning signal has been raised as of Tuesday evening. (SunStar Philippines)

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