'Urduja' weakens into tropical depression; PAGASA monitors new storm

MANILA, Philippines — "Urduja" (international name: Kai-tak) has weakened from a tropical storm into a tropical depression on Sunday morning.

In its 8 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Urduja has weakened into a tropical depression as it heads over the Samar Sea. It is expected to move west at 15 kilometers per hour.

As of 7 a.m., Urduja’s center was located at 50 km southwest of Catarman, Northern Samar. 

The tropical depression packs maximum winds of up to 60 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. 

All areas under Signal No.2 have been downgraded to Signal No. 1. These include the following areas:

• Southern part of Occidental Mindoro

• Southern part of Oriental Mindoro

•  Albay

• Sorsogon

• Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands

• Northern part of Palawan including Cuyo and Calamian Group of Islands

• Aklan

•  Antique

• Capiz

•  Iloilo

• Guimaras

• Northern portion of Negros Occidental

• Northern portion of Cebu

• Northern Samar

• Samar

• Eastern Samar

• Leyte

• Biliran

PAGASA said sea travel is not advised over the seaboards of areas under Signal No. 1.

The state weather bureau also warned residents of Quezon, Batangas, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Northern Palawan including Cuyo and Calamian Group of Islands of continued widespread rains. 

“Residents of these areas must undertake appropriate measures against flooding and landslides and coordinate with their local disaster risk reduction and management offices,” it said.

PAGASA also expects rains over Bicol and Visayas to gradually weaken.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said it is monitoring another tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility. It was located at 1,990 km east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 40 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 50 kph. — Rosette Adel