Wilma accelerates after making landfall in E. Samar
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Wilma accelerated slightly hours after making landfall in Dolores, Eastern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Sunday.
In its 5 a.m. advisory, the weather bureau said the center of Wilma is now in the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar.
It is moving west-northwestward at 15 km. per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph.
“Wilma is forecast to move generally west-southwestward for majority of the forecast period,” Pagasa said.
It added that Wilma will continue to traverse Southern Luzon and Visayas on Sunday before emerging over the Sulu Sea and passing over northern Palawan by Monday morning.
Wilma, it said, will likely remain as a tropical depression throughout its passage over Visayas and Palawan before weakening into a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea due to the northeast monsoon (amihan).
READ: Over 8,600 stranded in ports due to TD Wilma
The following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1:
Luzon
- Sorsogon
- Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands
- Romblon
- Southern portion of Oriental Mindoro: Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong, Bansud
- Southern portion of Occidental Mindoro: Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Sablayan
- Northernmost portion of Palawan: Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay, Roxas, San Vicente, including Cuyo and Calamian Islands
Visayas
- Northern Samar
- Northern and central portions of Eastern Samar: Can-Avid, Maslog, Borongan City, San Policarpo, Taft, Maydolong, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian
- Northern and central portions of Samar: San Jorge, San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Matuguinao, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, Catbalogan City, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan
- Biliran
- Northern portion of Leyte: Tunga, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Calubian, Leyte, Carigara, Babatngon, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Villaba, Capoocan, Alangalang, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Palo, Pastrana
- Northern portion of Cebu, including Bantayan Islands: Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabogon
- Northern portion of Negros Occidental: Sagay City, Escalante City, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City
- Central and eastern portions of Iloilo: San Dionisio, Estancia, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Ajuy, Sara, Balasan, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Passi City, San Enrique, Anilao, Banate, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Pototan, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Dueñas, Bingawan, Lambunao, Calinog, Janiuay, Badiangan, Cabatuan, Maasin, Alimodian, San Miguel, Leon, Tubungan, Igbaras
- Capiz
- Aklan
- Northern and central portions of Antique, including Caluya Islands: Patnongon, Sibalom, Barbaza, Valderrama, Pandan, San Jose, Bugasong, Culasi, Sebaste, Tibiao, San Remigio, Libertad, Belison, Laua-An, Hamtic
Pagasa said minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Signal No. 1.
The amihan, meanwhile, will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon, Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
It said the seaboards of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora, as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, and Camarines Norte will have up to five-meter waves.
“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced of operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA said.
Aside from Wilma and amihan, Pagasa said the shear line will bring cloudy skies with slight rains, particularly over areas of Northern and Central Luzon as well as in Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.
