Weaker Urduja now over Masbate

A weaker Tropical Depression Urduja (Kai-tak) has moved to Masbate after crossing Samar provinces before noon Sunday, weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Urduja was in the vicinity of Mobo town in Masbate province.

The cyclone has slightly weakened, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusintess of up to 90 kph.

In PAGASA's earlier bulletin, Urduja's maximum winds was at 60 kph.

The cyclone is forecast to continue to move west southwest at 15 kph.

PAGASA said the cyclone is expected to be in the vicinity of Barangay Manamoc on Cuyo Island in Palawan province by Monday morning and more near Puerto Princesa City by Tuesday morning before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday morning.

The weather bureau has lifted tropical cyclone warning signals in several areas in the Visayas as Urduja continued to weaken.

Signal Number 1 remained hoisted over:

Luzon

• southern part of Occidental Mindoro
• southern part of Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands
• northern part of Palawan including Cuyo and Calamian Group of Islands

Mindanao

• Aklan
• Antique
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• northern Samar
• Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Biliran

PAGASA said widesrpead rains will continue to prevail over southern Quezon, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and northern Palawan including Cuyo and Calamian Group of Islands.

"Residents of these areas must undertake appropriate measures against flooding and landslides," it said.

Effect of Urduja in Bicol and the Visayas are expected to gradually weaken.

The weather bureau said it is also closely monitoring a tropical depression 1,990 kilometers east of Mindanao.

The tropical depression is expected to enter PAR by Tuesday or Wednesday and will be named "Vinta."

It currently has maximum sustained winds of 40 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 50 kph.

PAGASA said this cyclone will likely take the path of Urduja. —ALG, GMA News