Surigao, Dinagat under Signal No. 1

TWO PROVINCES in Mindanao’s northeastern tip—Surigao del Norte, including Siargao Island, and Dinagat Islands—are among those placed under Signal No. 1 by the weather bureau as Tropical Storm “Ursula” approaches.

In its Severe Weather Bulletin No. 2 issued at 11 a.m. today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical

and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 10 a.m., the center of “Ursula” was estimated at 790 km east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, or 870 km east of Surigao City (9.7°N, 133.4°E)

It said that the storm has maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph as it moves west northwest at 30 kph.

Aside from the two Mindanao provinces, areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 are Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao Island, Eastern Samar, Northern

Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu (Carmen, Asturias, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio,

Bogo, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Bantayan Islands, Camotes Islands), Central Cebu (Balamban, Talisay, Cebu City, Cordova, LapuLapu, Mandaue, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao), and northeastern Bohol (Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy, Pilar, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Buenavista, Jetafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Ubay, Mabini, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia).

PAGASA said that between Dec. 24 and 25, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon,

Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and the northern portions of Cebu and Negros Occidental. It added that light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains are also expected over Quezon and the rest of Visayas, Bicol Region and Surigao del Norte.

“Residents in these areas are advised to take appropriate measures to reduce the potential impact of flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas identified to be highly to very highly susceptible to these hazards,” the weather bureau warned.