Twenty-one areas were placed under Signal No. 1 as tropical depression “Usman” aims for Eastern Visayas before weekend.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical ,and Astronomical Services Administration raised yesterday afternoon tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 1 over Romblon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Ticao and Burias Islands, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern part of Cebu, Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, northern part of Iloilo, northern Negros Occidental, and Dinagat Island.
PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said Usman is still far from land but its advanced clouds have brought moderate to heavy rains over Dinagat Island, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas.
Usman was located at 410 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4 p.m. It is moving slowly west at 10 kilometers per hour from 15 kph.
Usman has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
Ordinario said Usman may further intensify into a tropical storm with maximum wind speed of 62 to 88 kph before its expected landfall over Eastern Samar this afternoon.
PAGASA is also likely to raise Signal No. 1 over Camarines Norte, southern part of Quezon, Marinduque, southern part of Oriental Mindoro, Antique, rest of Iloilo, and Guimaras.
Ordinario said that sea travel will no longer be allowed once Signal No. 1 has been raised.
Moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Visayas, Bicol, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon today.
This afternoon, Usman is expected to be 95 kms east of Guiuan and 75 kms south-southeast of Coron, Palawan tomorrow afternoon.
Usman may exit the country’s area of responsibility between Sunday evening and Monday morning. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)