By ELLALYN RUIZ
Tropical cyclone signal No. 1 was raised in at least 15 areas yesterday as tropical storm “Ursula” (international name “Phanfone”) is poised to make landfall over Eastern Visayas today, Christmas Eve.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Chris Perez said Ursula entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility around 5 a.m. yesterday. It is the 21st tropical cyclone, and most likely the final, this year.
Ursula maintained maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The weather disturbance could further intensify into a severe tropical storm prior to its landfall between this afternoon and tonight, he pointed out.
It was estimated at 790 kilometers east-northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and moving west-northwest at 30 kph before noon yesterday.
Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Sorsogon, Masbate, Ticao Island, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern Cebu, central Cebu, northeastern Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Siargao Islands to allow residents in these areas to prepare for the approaching storm, Perez said.
He added that Signal No. 1 may be raised over the rest of Bohol, rest of Cebu, northern Negros Occidental, Guimaras, eastern portion of Aklan, Capiz, northern Iloilo, Romblon, Albay, and Burias Island later yesterday.
The public should prepare for moderate to heavy rains over Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and northern portions of Cebu and Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Quezon and the rest of Visayas, Bicol region, and Surigao del Norte are likely to prevail.
