The state weather bureau has placed 17 areas across Luzon and the Visayas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 on Sunday morning as Tropical Depression (TD) Wilma continues to traverse the central portion of the Philippines.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the center of TD Wilma was last estimated over the coastal waters of Almagro, Samar.
The storm is currently moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).
Wilma is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph.
Areas under TCWS No. 1 are forecast to experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours.
According to Pagasa, these conditions may result in minimal to minor impacts, including slight damage to houses made of very light materials and broken twigs on small trees.
The weather disturbance is expected to remain a Tropical Depression throughout its passage over Southern Luzon and the Visayas, with a high likelihood of weakening into a low-pressure area (LPA) once it emerges over the Sulu Sea.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with reports indicating widespread travel disruption.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that thousands of passengers and numerous vessels were stranded in various ports in the Visayas and Southern Luzon regions over the weekend due to the adverse weather conditions caused by the tropical depression.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to take precautionary measures against strong winds and be vigilant for possible flooding and landslides from Wilma’s associated rainfall.
