Twenty-seven (27) areas across the country have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Vilma slightly accelerated while moving east of Eastern Visayas on Saturday morning, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Vilma was located 70 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar.
Vilma is moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). It maintains its strength as it is carrying maximum wind speed of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
The tropical depression is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Visayas on Saturday.
It is expected to remain as a tropical depression throughout this period.
Pagasa also hoisted Wind Signal No. 1 over the following areas, where wind speeds range from 39 to 61 kph, which may potentially bring ‘minimal to minor threats to life and property:’
Luzon
Sorsogon
Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
Romblon
Southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong)
Southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan)
Northernmost portion of Palawan (Aracelli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay) including Cuyo, Calamlan and Cagayancillo Islands
Visayas
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
Bohol
Negros Occidental
Siquijor
Northern and central portion of Negros Oriental (City of Guihulngan, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, Amlan, San Jose, Dumaguete City, Valencia, Sibulan, Bacong, Mabinay, City of Bayawan, Basay)
Guimaras
Iloilo
Capiz
Aklan
Antique
Mindanao
Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands
Dinagat Islands
Northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza)
Northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes)
Camiguin
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or amihan is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas that are not under the Wind Signal No. 1:
Saturday: Most of Luzon, Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula
Sunday: Most of Luzon, Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula
Monday: Most of Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas /apl