‘Urduja’ continues to inflict damage in Eastern Visayas – Pagasa

Tropical Storm Urduja (international name: Kai-Tak) has continued to wreak damage in Eastern Visayas while it remained stationary in its last tracked position, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Urduja was last tracked at 85 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, according to Pagasa’s 8 p.m. severe weather bulletin on Thursday.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the 400 kilometer diameter of the tropical storm, the state weather bureau said.

Pagasa raised the orange rainfall warning level over Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Socorro Island, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur due to the tropical storm. Flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and near river channels under the orange rainfall warning.

The state weather bureau also raised the yellow rainfall warning level over Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Flooding is possible in low-lying areas under the yellow rainfall warning.

In addition, Pagasa warned residents anew of scattered to widespread rains over the Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao within 24 hours.

Storm Signal No. 2 was raised in the following areas:
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran

Storm Signal No. 1 was raised in some provinces across the country:
Catanduanes
Camarines Sur
Albay
Sorsogon
Masbate (including Burias and Ticao Islands)
Romblon
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Northern Cebu (including Bantayan Island)
Capiz
Aklan
Northern Iloilo
Dinagat Islands

Pagasa advised fisher folk and small boat operators not to travel over seaboards in the Visayas as well as Bicol’s eastern seaboard due to rough seas brought by the tropical storm.

The state weather bureau also advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management councils to continue monitoring for updates and take appropriate actions.