By Ellalyn V. Ruiz
Tropical depression “Urduja” could make landfall over the Bicol region or Eastern Visayas by Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
As of yesterday afternoon, Urduja was estimated at 415 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 65 kph near the center.
It is still hovering over the Pacific Ocean where the tropical cyclone draws its strength. PAGASA said Urduja may become a tropical storm within 36 hours.
It is forecast to move north-northwest slowly at seven kph.
Should it maintain its current track, Urduja will likely make landfall over the Bicol region or Eastern Visayas by Saturday, PAGASA senior weather forecaster Chris Perez said. It may also cross Southern Luzon by the weekend on its way to the West Philippine Sea, he said.