Tropical Depression Wilma is currently moving slowly west-northwestward over the coastal waters of Eastern Samar, the state weather bureau said.
In its 11 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wilma was last spotted over the coastal waters of Oras town.
The tropical depression maintained its strength, carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Signal No. 1 is still in effect over the following areas:
Luzon:
Sorsogon
Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
Romblon
The southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong,Bansud)
The southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan,Sablayan)
The northernmost portion of Palawan (Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay, Roxas, San Vicente) including Cuyo, Calamian, and Cagayancillo Islands
Visayas:
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
The northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Mahaplag, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Inopacan, Jaro, Abuyog, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Javier, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Hindang, City of Baybay, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo)
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, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands
The northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan)
The northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz City, Bacolod City, City of Talisay, Silay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Murcia, Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Isabela, Hinigaran)
Guimaras
Iloilo
Capiz
Aklan
Antique including Caluya Islands
Pagasa said Wilma is forecast to move generally westward for the majority of the forecast period.
Its center may make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar this Saturday evening.
‘Afterwards, it will continue to traverse Visayas until tomorrow (07 December). It will then emerge over Sulu Sea and may pass over northern Palawan by Monday (08 December) morning,’ Pagasa said.
Wilma will likely remain as a tropical depression throughout its passage over Visayas and Palawan, but there is an increasing likelihood of weakening into a remnant low-pressure area while traversing the area of Visayas due to dry intrusion from the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan. /jpv