17 areas under storm signal as 'Zoraida' approaches

MANILA, Philippines - More areas in the Visayas and Mindanao have been placed under public storm warning signal number 1 after Tropical Depression "Zoraida" moved closer to the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said before Monday noon.

The agency said in its 11 a.m. update that Zoraida was last spotted at 830 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, maintaining its strength and packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

The 25th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this year is expected to move west northwest at 30 kph. It's forecast location Tuesday morning was 160 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Zoraida is also expected to be in the vicinity of Cuyo or 130 kilometers west of Iloilo City by Wednesday morning and at 650 kilometers west of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro by Thursday morning.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted in several areas, some of which were already hit by Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

Signal No. 1
Dinagat Province
Siargao Island
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Davao Oriental
Davao del Norte
Samal Island
Bukidnon
Misamis Oriental
Camiguin Island
Siquijor
Southern Cebu
Bohol
Negros Oriental
Southern Negros Occidental

PAGASA said moderate to heavy (five to 15 millimeters per hour) is estimated within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

Sea travel is risky over the northern seaboard of northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Northern and central Luzon, the weather bureau warned.

Zoraida threatens the Philippines few days after Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, pounded provinces in the Visayas.

Over 200 people have been confirmed dead by the government, but local officials have estimated that the number of fatalities could balloon to 10,000.

Read: '10000 dead, missing'