‘Ursula’ intensifies into typhoon

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2019 04:17:27 +0000

Tropical cyclone “Ursula” (international name: “Phanfone”) could become a typhoon prior to its landfall over Eastern Samar this afternoon (December 24).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical cyclone Signal No. 3 may be raised over portions of Eastern Visayas once “Ursula” intensifies into a typhoon.

So far, the weather disturbance remains a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Signal No. 2 was raised in southern Quezon, Marinduque, eastern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Burias and Ticao Islands, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, extreme northern Cebu, northeastern Iloilo, northern Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Areas under Signal No. 1 were Bulacan, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, rest of Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, rest of Occidental Mindoro, Lubang Island, rest of Oriental Mindoro, northern Palawan, Calamian Islands and Cuyo Islands, Southern Leyte, the rest of northern Cebu, central Cebu, northeastern Bohol, rest of Antique, rest of Iloilo, Guimaras, northern Negros Occidental, northern Negros Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

“Ursula” was already 185 kilometers (km) east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 10 a.m. Tuesday. Should it maintain its westward track at 20 kph, it will likely make landfall over Eastern Samar Tuesday afternoon or early evening.

PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said occasional to frequent heavy rains are already being felt in Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, northern and central Cebu, northern Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Romblon.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains were being experienced over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and the rest of Visayas and Surigao del Norte.

Residents in these areas were advised to take appropriate measures to reduce the potential impact of flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas identified to be highly susceptible to these hazards.

Moderate to strong winds have also began to affect northeastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas.

By Wednesday, occasional to frequent heavy rains will likely prevail over Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, and Calamian Islands; while light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains may affect Cuyo Islands, Negros Provinces, Iloilo, Guimaras, Aurora, and rest of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said “Ursula” will traverse the island provinces of Visayas, and Southern Luzon on its way to the West Philippine Sea within 48 hours.

Moderate to strong winds will also prevail over Bicol Region and portions of Central Visayas as
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