TD ‘Usman’ inches closer to landfall area in Eastern Samar

Source: Pagasa / DOST

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression “Usman” is moving slowly westward as it approaches its expected landfall area in Eastern Samar late Friday or early Saturday, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Usman” was last spotted 240 kilometers East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 7 p.m.

It has maintained maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 65 kph.

Pagasa noted that the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Quezon will continue to experience moderate to heavy rains while light to moderate with occasional heavy rains will prevail over Metro Manila, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Aurora and the rest of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and of Visayas on Friday night.

Moreover, moderate to heavy rains is expected to prevail on Saturday over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region and Aurora, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains is expected over Visayas.

The state weather bureau said that Usman is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Sunday evening (December 30) and Monday morning (December 31).

Tropical Cyclone Signal (TCS) No. 1 remains hoisted over following areas in the country:

Luzon

Northern Palawan incl. Calamian and Cuyo Groups of Islands

Southern Quezon

Marinduque

Romblon

Catanduanes

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Albay

Sorsogon

Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

Southern Occidental Mindoro

Southern Oriental Mindoro

Visayas

Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Samar

Biliran

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Northern Cebu including Camotes Islands

Aklan

Capiz

Iloilo

Guimaras

Antique

Northern Negros Occidental.

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands