‘Ursula’ slightly accelerates; Signal No. 1 up in 13 areas in Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm “Ursula” (international name Phanfone) slightly picked up speed midday Monday, the state weather bureau said.

Public storm warning Signal No. 1 was raised over the following areas:

• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao Island
• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Northern Cebu (Carmen, Asturias, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio, Bogo, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Bantayan Islands, Camotes Islands)
• Central Cebu (Balamban, Talisay, Cebu City, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao)
• northeastern Bohol (Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy, Pilar, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Buenavista, Jetafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Ubay, Mabini, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands

Ursula was last spotted 790 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was moving west northwest at 30 kph.

Ursula is expected to intensify into a Severe Tropical Storm before its anticipated landfall over Eastern Visayas on Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, moderate to heavy rains are seen over Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern portions of Cebu and Negros Occidental.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains are forecast over Quezon and the rest of Visayas, Bicol Region and Surigao del Norte.

Suspension of maritime activities in areas where the tropical storm signal is raised., Pagasa said.