SIXTEEN areas are placed under Tropical Storm Warning Signal Number 1 on Thursday morning as Tropical Depression Urduja has slightly intesified and slowed down as it threatens Samar provinces.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Signal No. 1 over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan Island, Capiz, Aklan and Northern Iloilo.
According to Pagasa's 11 a.m. weather advisory, these areas are expected to experience 30 to 60 kilometers per hour winds in the next 36 hours.
Pagasa said Urduja is expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar Friday morning, December 15.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 120 kilometers (km) east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
With maximum sustained winds of 60 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, Urduja is forecast to move west at 7 kph.
Moreover, Pagasa said scattered to widespread rains is 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.
Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas due to moderate to rough seas, Pagasa added. (SunStar Philippines)