PAGASA: Tropical Storm “Urduja” to make landfall in E. Samar on Friday morning

Tropical Storm “Urduja” /PAGASA/

(Eagle News) — Tropical Storm “Urduja” is expected to make landfall in Eastern Samar on Friday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said the center of “Urduja” as of 4 p.m. was estimated at 85 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The tropical storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

It is forecast to move westward at 7 kilometers per hour.

Rainfall amount within the 400-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm is expected to be  from moderate to heavy, PAGASA said.

Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur,Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Romblon, Northern Samar, 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.

“Residents in these areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said.

“Fisherfolk and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and in the seaboards of Visayas due to rough to very rough seas associated with the approaching tropical storm,” PAGASA added.