‘Urduja’ strengthens, storm signals up over parts of Visayas, Bicol

Tropical storm “Urduja” slightly intensified as it continues to move slowly off the eastern coast of Samar Island early Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

The state weather bureau raised Signal No. 1 over Leyte; Southern Leyte; Northern Cebu, including Bantayan Island; Northern Bohol; Capiz; Aklan; and Northern Iloilo.

Signal No. 2 was raised over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran,

Pagasa said Urduja packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It moved northwest at 5 kph.

The storm was last spotted 205 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. It is expected to make landfall Saturday morning or afternoon over Northern Samar-Eastern Samar.

Scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga, Bicol region and the rest of Visayas.

Pagasa also warned of dangerous sea travel over the eastern seaboards of Bicol region and Visayas due to the storm.      /kga