Signal No. 1 up over Visayas, Mindanao areas due to ‘Wilma’

Metro Manila, Philippines – Parts of Visayas and Mindanao were under Signal No. 1 as the low pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility developed into Tropical Depression Wilma on Thursday, Dec. 4.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, weather bureau PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 over Eastern Visayas and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao.

PAGASA said Northern Samar and Eastern Samar may experience heavy to intense rains until Friday noon.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast over the rest of Eastern Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

“Wilma” was last seen 625 kilometers (km) east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA said “Wilma” may make its initial landfall in Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

“‘Wilma’ will slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period,” the bureau said. “Further intensification is likely once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.”

The tropical cyclone will cross the Visayas until Monday, Dec. 8, and may pass over northern Palawan between Monday evening and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon, or amihan, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley Aurora, Bataan, Calabarzon, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, and Visayas.