Storm clouds. INQUIRER FILE / JUAN ESCANDOR
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression “Usman” continued to move west-northwestward towards Eastern Visayas, the weather bureau said in its 11 a.m. forecast on Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Usman’s center was spotted at 230 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, at 10 a.m.
It maintained its strength with winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph as it moved West Northwest at 10 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the following areas:
Luzon
- Northern Palawan, including the Calamian Group of Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Southern Quezon
- Marinduque
- Romblon
- Catanduanes
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands
- Southern Occidental Mindoro
- Southern Oriental Mindoro
- Cuyo Island
Visayas
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northern Cebu, including Camotes Islands
- Aklan
- Capiz
- Iloilo
- Guimaras
- Antique
- Northern Negros Occidental
Mindanao
- Dinagat Island
Affected areas may experience winds of 30-60 kph and/or intermittent rain within the next 36 hours.
Pagasa said Usman could intensify into a tropical storm prior to landfall over Eastern Samar tonight. It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility between Sunday evening (Dec. 30) and Monday morning (Dec. 31), it added. /cbb