PAGASA: 'Wilma' slightly slows down but maintains strength as it nears Eastern Visayas
By Jel Santos
(DOST-PAGASA)
Tropical Depression Wilma slightly decelerated on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, while maintaining its strength as it moved closer to the Eastern Visayas coastline, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 7 issued at 2 p.m., PAGASA said Wilma was last estimated 225 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph).
It added that the weather disturbance is now moving west-southwest at a slower pace of 10 kph, from 15 kph earlier, as its strong wind field continues to extend outward up to 220 kilometers from the center.
The state weather bureau said Wilma is expected to maintain its current intensity as it approaches Eastern Visayas, where landfall or a close passage remains possible between Friday night, Dec. 5, and early Saturday morning, Dec. 6.
PAGASA advised the public, especially those in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1, to closely monitor succeeding bulletins as rains and winds associated with Wilma may intensify as it nears the region.
Meanwhile, the following areas remain under Signal No. 1:
(Luzon)
The southern portion of Sorsogon (Matnog, Bulan, Irosin, Santa Magdalena, Bulusan, Barcelona, Magallanes, Juban, Casiguran, Gubat) and mainland Masbate including Ticao Island.(Visayas)
Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Bohol, the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz City, Bacolod City, City of Talisay, Silay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Murcia, Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Binalbagan, City of Himamaylan, City of Kabankalan), Siquijor, the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (City of Guihulngan, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, Bais City, Pamplona, City of Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose, Dumaguete City, Valencia, Sibulan, Bacong, Mabinay), the eastern portion of Iloilo (San Dionisio, Estancia, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Ajuy, Sara, Balasan, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, City of Passi, San Enrique, Anilao, Banate, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Pototan, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Iloilo City, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Dueñas), the eastern portion of Capiz (Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Pontevedra, Ma-Ayon, Cuartero, Dumarao, Dao, Panitan, Roxas City), and Guimaras.(Mindanao)
Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Dinagat Islands, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza), the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes), and Camiguin.RELATED STORY: