Tropical Depression Wilma maintained its strength on Thursday evening as it continued to swirl towards the country, where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect in 14 areas, according to the state weather bureau.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in its 11 p.m. update, reported that Wilma was spotted some 480 kilometers (km) east of Catarman, Northern Samar.
It is currently moving west-southwest at only 15 km per hour (kph) while carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Meanwhile, 14 areas are currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.
Pagasa said Wilma is forecast to make its initial landfall over Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Despite this, it is expected to remain as a tropical depression throughout the forecast period.
Areas under Signal No. 1 or where winds of 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains may be expected in at least 36 hours are as follows:
Luzon
The southern portion of mainland Masbate (Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer)
Visayas
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
The northern and central portions of Cebu ( Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Asturias, Carmen, Danao City, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu City, Toledo City, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, City of Naga, Minglanilla, City of Talisay, Aloguinsan, City of Carcar, Sibonga, Barili) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
Bohol
The eastern portion of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava)
Mindanao
Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands
Dinagat Islands
The northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen),
The northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran