(Eagle News) — Tropical Storm “Urduja” remained almost stationary late Friday afternoon, but continues to threaten the Eastern Visayas area, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
As of 4 p.m., PAGASA said the center of the tropical storm was located 240 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
“Urduja” is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.
It is forecast to move northwest at 5 kilometers per hour, and is expected to make landfall over the Northern Samar – Eastern Samar area on Saturday.
Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.
Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Romblon, and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands
Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, Northern Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands are under Signal No. 1, PAGASA said.
The estimated rainfall amount within the 500-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm is is from moderate to heavy.
PAGASA said scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and are expected to prevail over Bicol Region and the rest of Visayas within 24 hours.
“Residents of these areas must undertake appropriate measures against flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local government and disaster risk reduction and management offices,” PAGASA said.
It added that sea travel “remains risky over the eastern seaboards of Bicol Region and of Visayas due to the approaching tropical storm.”