The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday evening announced that Tropical Depression “Wilma” is now moving west-northwestward toward the northern portion of Eastern Samar.
This comes after Wilma remained “almost stationary” over Eastern Samar’s coastal waters during most of Saturday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau’s earlier tropical cyclone bulletins.
The tropical depression was last estimated over the coastal waters of Dolores, Eastern Samar, moving west-northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).
According to PAGASA’s 8 p.m. bulletin, Wilma has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised over the following Luzon areas: Sorsogon, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Romblon, the southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong, and Bansud), the southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, and Sablayan), and the northernmost portion of Palawan (Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay, Roxas, and San Vicente), including Cuyo, Calamian, and Cagayancillo Islands.
Signal No. 1 is likewise hoisted in the following Visayas areas:
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- The northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Mahaplag, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Inopacan, Jaro, Abuyog, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Javier, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Hindang, City of Baybay, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, and Barugo)
- The northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Asturias, Carmen, Danao City, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, and Cordova), including the Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands
- The northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, and City of Guihulngan)
- The northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz City, Bacolod City, City of Talisay, Silay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Murcia, Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Isabela, Hinigaran)
- Guimaras
- Iloilo
- Capiz
- Aklan
- Antique, including Caluya Islands
“Wilma is forecast to move generally westward for the majority of the forecast period. On the forecast track, the center of Wilma may make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar between tonight,” PAGASA said.
“Afterward, it will continue to traverse Visayas until tomorrow. It will then emerge over the Sulu Sea and may pass over northern Palawan by Monday morning,” it added.
