'Wilma' likely to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands by Friday—PAGASA
By Jel Santos
(DOST-PAGASA)
Tropical Depression “Wilma” will likely make its first landfall over Eastern Visayas or the Dinagat Islands sometime between Friday evening, Dec. 5, and Saturday morning, Dec. 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Thursday, Dec. 4.
“Wilma is forecast to move west southwestward until Saturday (06 December) before turning generally westward for the remaining of the forecast period,” the agency stated in its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 1.
“On the forecast track, the center of Wilma may make its initial landfall Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between tomorrow (05 December) evening and Saturday morning.”
According to the state weather bureau, the weather disturbance will keep crossing the Visayas and may continue its passage until Monday, Dec. 8.
“It will then emerge over Sulu Sea and may pass over northern Palawan between Monday evening and Tuesday (09 December) morning,” it went on.
The agency said Wilma is expected to “slightly intensify” before making landfall, but it is still projected to stay within tropical depression strength throughout the forecast period.
“Further intensification is likely once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea,” it added.
PAGASA advised that with these developments, both the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices must implement all needed actions to protect life and property.
“Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” the agency said.
“For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.”
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