The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday announced that the low pressure area (LPA) east of Eastern Visayas has developed into Tropical Depression “Wilma.”
Its center was last estimated 625 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, moving west-southwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).
According to PAGASA’s 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Wilma had maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte in the Visayas.
Signal No. 1 was also hoisted above Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao.
The tropical depression may make initial landfall on Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
It is seen to slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period.
