Tropical Depression Wilma is moving slowly while maintaining its strength as it approached Eastern Samar and Northern Samar on Saturday morning, the state weather bureau reported.
Nineteen (19) areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.
In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Wilma was last spotted over the coastal waters of Sulat, Eastern Samar.
It was still moving slowly in a westward direction and is forecast to continue moving generally westward for the majority of its forecast period.
It maintained its strength as it was carrying a maximum wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Wilma is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar on Saturday.
It is expected to traverse Visayas until Sunday and will merge over Sulu Sea, and then, approach Northern Palawan by Monday.
Signal No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:
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
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, Baybay City, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo)
Northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Asturias, Carmen, Danao City, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Pinamunganhan, Naga City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands
Northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, Guihulngan)
Northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Sagay City, Escalante City, Toboso, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Bacolod City, Talisay City, 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 warned that under this wind signal, with wind speeds ranging from 39 to 61 kph, may potentially bring ‘minimal to minor threat to life and property.’ /apl