‘Urduja’ inches closer to Sorsogon, Northern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Urduja has slightly changed its course as it moves closer to Sorsogon and Northern Samar, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Urduja was estimated at 395 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 4 p.m. today.

It has maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour. It is forecast to move northwest at 7 kilometers per hour.

As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Urduja was expected to make landfall in Bicol and Easter Visayas.

No storm signal has been issued yet.

Scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms, however, are expected over Bicol region and Visayas within 24 hours.

The public should watch out for possible flashfloods and landslides.

Fishermen or those with small vessels are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Caraga due to moderate to rough seas.

Urduja is expected to be 260 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar by Thursday afternoon and 175 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar by Friday afternoon.

By Saturday afternoon, it is forecast to be travelling 130 kilometers west southwest of Legazpi City, Albay and by Sunday afternoon, it is likely to be at 105 kilometers west of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.