Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ slows down – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression “Usman” further slowed down as it continues to move westward Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, Pagasa said that the tropical depression was moving west at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), down from 15 kph.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

Usman was last spotted 410 kilometers East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the state weather bureau said.

Pagasa noted that tropical cyclone warning Signal no. 1 may be raised over Camarines Norte, Southern Quezon, Marinduque, Southern Oriental Mindoro, Antique, rest of Iloilo, and Guimaras in its next severe weather bulletin to be issued at 8 p.m.

The state weather bureau has earlier raised tropical cyclone warning Signal no. 1 over 18 areas around the country.

READ: More areas under Signal No.1 due to TD Usman 

Usman could intensify into a tropical storm ahead of its expected landfall over Eastern Samar on Friday.

The weather bureau expects Usman to exit the Philippine area of responsibility between Sunday evening (Dec. 30) and Monday morning (Dec. 31).