Signal No. 1 up over 20 areas as Wilma moves towards Eastern Samar

Twenty areas are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Wilma maintained its strength while moving southwestward, according to state weather bureau PAGASA Monday.

In its 8 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the center of Wilma was estimated at 235 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

Wilma is moving southwestward at 15 km/h.

The following areas are under Signal No 1: 

Luzon

• The southern portion of mainland Masbate (Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Placer, Cawayan, Palanas, Dimasalang, Uson)

Visayas

• Northern Samar, 
• Eastern Samar, 
• Samar, 
• Biliran, 
• Leyte, 
• Southern Leyte, 
• Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, 
• Bohol, 
• 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, Hinigaran, Isabela, Binalbagan, City of Himamaylan, City of Kabankalan), 
• Siquijor, 
• the northern and central portions of Negros Oriental (City of Guihulngan, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, Bais City, Pamplona, City of Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose, Dumaguete City, Valencia, Sibulan, Bacong, Mabinay), 
• the eastern portion of Iloilo (San Dionisio, Estancia, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Ajuy, Sara, Balasan, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, City of Passi, San Enrique, Anilao, Banate, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Pototan, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Iloilo City, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Dueñas), 
• the eastern portion of Capiz (Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Pontevedra, Ma-Ayon, Cuartero, Dumarao, Dao, Panitan, Roxas City), and 
• Guimaras

Mindanao

• Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, 
• Dinagat Islands, 
• the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza), 
• the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes) and 
• Camiguin

PAGASA said the center of Wilma may make its initial landfall or pass close over Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning. 

It said Wilma is forecast to move west southwestward until Saturday, December 6, before turning generally westward for the remaining forecast period.

Afterwards, it will continue to traverse Visayas until Sunday, December 7. It will then emerge over Sulu Sea and may pass over northern Palawan by Monday morning, December 8.

It added Wilma will slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain as a tropical depression throughout the forecast period. Further intensification is possible once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.—AOL, GMA Integrated News