'Urduja' slightly intensifies, barrels toward Samar island

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Urduja has slightly intensified on Friday morning as it barrels toward the eastern coast of Samar island. 

In its 5 a.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said "Urduja" has maximum winds up to 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was 205 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar as of 4 a.m.

"Urduja," moving west northwest at 5 kph, is expected to make landfall on Saturday morning or afternoon over Northern Samar-Eastern Samar area. 

Public storm warning signals are raised in the following areas:

SIgnal No. 1

• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran

Signal No. 2

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Romblon
• Masbate 
• Burias Island 
• Ticao Island

Rice crops on their flowering state may suffer significant damage in these locations, PAGASA said. Areas under public storm warning signal no. 2 are alerted against possible occurrence of 4.1 to 14.0 meters storm surges.  

"Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm," PAGASA said.

"Scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and is expected to prevail over Bicol Region and the rest of Visayas within 24 hours," it added.

Residents of these areas are warned against possible landslide and flashfloods. They are asked to coordinate with their local government and disaster risk reduction and management offices.

PAGASA also advised the public to remain alert as sea travel remains risky over the eastern seaboards of Bicol region and Visayas. 

Forecast position

• 24 hours (Saturday morning): 110 km east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar 
• 48 hours (Sunday morning): In the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar
• 72 hours (Monday morning): 85 km west of Roxas City, Capiz
• 96 hours (Tuesday morning): 120 km north of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• 120 hours (Wednesday morning): 325 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan