THE Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas has announced the cancellation of boat trips after the state weather bureau hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over parts of Visayas.
According to Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael John Encina, PCG-Central Visayas spokesperson, all boat trips on routes from ports in affected areas in the Visayas are suspended as of 11 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2019.
Tropical Storm Ursula entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5 a.m. Monday, the state weather bureau said.
Areas under TCWS No.1 are:
Luzon
*Sorsogon
*Masbate including Ticao Island
Visayas
* Eastern Samar
* Northern Samar
* Samar
* Biliran
* Leyte
* Southern Leyte
* Northern Cebu (Carmen
* Asturias
* Tuburan
* Catmon
* Sogod
* Borbon
* Tabuelan
* Tabogon
* San Remigio
* Bogo
* Medellin
* Daanbantayan
* Bantayan Islands
* Camotes Islands)
* Central Cebu (Balamban
* Talisay
* Cebu City
* Cordova
* Lapu-Lapu
* Mandaue
* Consolacion
* Liloan
* Compostela
* Danao)
* northeastern Bohol (Inabanga
* Danao
* Dagohoy
* Pilar
* Guindulman
* Anda
* Candijay
* Alicia
* Buenavista
* Jetafe
* Talibon
* Trinidad
* Bien Unido
* San Miguel
* Ubay
* Mabini
* Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)
Mindanao
* Dinagat Islands
* Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands
The state weather bureau added moderate to heavy rains may be felt over Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern portions of Cebu and Negros Occidental between Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25.
Strong winds may affect Eastern Visayas and northeastern Mindanao Tuesday morning and southern portion of Bicol Region and some portions of Central Visayas Tuesday afternoon.
"Ursula" is forecast to gradually intensify to severe tropical storm category prior to landfall over Eastern Visayas Tuesday afternoon or evening. (HBL/Superbalita Cebu)