MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Tropical Depression "Urduja" nears Leyte, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise storm signal number one over a large part of the Visayas.

In its 5 a.m. update, Pagasa said the center of "Urduja" was spotted 50 kilometers east northeast of Maasin, Southern Leyte.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and moving west northwest at 15 kilometers per hour. It is expected to be 30 kilometers west northwest of Roxas City by Wednesday morning.

Pagasa expects "Urduja" to cut through the Visayas in a northwest direction exiting near the Mindoro islands.

Storm signal number 1 is up over Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte, Cebu, Camotes Island, Bohol, the Negros provinces, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat and Siargao Island.

Pagasa warned residents in these areas to take necessary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao will experience rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas, according to the Pagasa bulletin. The rest of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Southern Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers. The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers.

Also, Pagasa said there would be strong winds affecting coastal areas of Luzon as a result of the surge of the northeast monsoon.

“Urduja” is the 21st tropical cyclone to enter the country.