(Eagle News) — Tropical Depression “Usman” has slowed down as it moved westward and closer to Eastern Samar.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 4 p.m., the center of the tropical depression was located 410 kilometers east of Guiuan, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour.
“Usman” is moving at 10 kilometers per hour.
Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Romblon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Iloilo and Northern Negros Occidental
Dinagat Island.
PAGASA said a Signal No. 1 may also be hoisted over Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Marinduque, southern Oriental Mindoro, Antique, the rest of Iloilo, and Guimaras in the next hours.
Moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, are also expected over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Dinagat Islands today.
According to PAGASA, moderate to heavy rains are also expected over Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday, Dec. 28.
“Residents of these areas, especially those living near river channels and in low-lying and mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates,” PAGASA said.
According to PAGASA, fisherfolk and those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of the areas under Signal No. 1, the seaboards of northern Luzon, the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Surigao Provinces because of “Usman” and the surge of the northeast monsoon.