PAGASA: Signal No. 1 raised over parts of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao as 'Wilma' decelerates
By Jel Santos
(DOST-PAGASA)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed several areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4, as Tropical Depression Wilma decelerated while moving over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Samar.
In its 5 p.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 2, PAGASA said Wilma’s center was estimated 575 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph).
The state weather bureau said “Wilma” was moving west southwestward at 10 kph, with strong winds extending outward up to 220 kilometers from the center.
TCWS No. 1 was raised in areas expected to experience strong winds within 36 hours, with wind speeds ranging from 39 to 61 kph, which may bring minimal to minor threats to life and property.
In Luzon, the signal was up over the southern portion of mainland Masbate, covering Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, and Placer.
In the Visayas, the warning was hoisted over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern portion of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, and parts of eastern and central Bohol.
In Mindanao, areas under Signal No. 1 include Surigao del Norte, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Dinagat Islands, northern Surigao del Sur, and northern Agusan del Norte.
PAGASA noted that local winds may be slightly stronger in coastal and upland communities exposed to the prevailing wind direction.
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