Pagasa tells E. Samar residents: Prepare for stronger winds, thunderstorms

Photo from pagasa.dost.gov.ph

Residents in Eastern Samar should brace for stronger winds and thunderstorms as tropical storm “Urduja” (international name: Kai-Tak) maintained its slow movement, the state weather bureau said on Friday.

In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Urduja was slowly moving northwest at the speed of 5 kilometers per hour (khp). Its center was last spotted around 10 a.m. at 240 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar.

Urduja has maximum sustained winds of up to 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph, Pagasa said.

It is expected to make landfall at Northern Samar and Eastern Samar area on Saturday between morning and afternoon, Pagasa added.

The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains within its 500-kilometer diameter.

Tropical cylone warning Signal no. 2 has been raised over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.

Signal no. 1 has been raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate (including Burias and Ticao islands), Romblon, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu (including Bantayan Island), Capiz, Aklan, Northern Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands.

Pagasa warned residents in these areas to prepare and coordinate with their local government as floods and landslides could occur.           /kga