‘Ursula’ batters Southern Luzon, Visayas
TYPHOON “Ursula” has maintained its strength as it traversed the Visayas on Christmas Day, the state-run weather bureau said.
Alert Signal 3 was raised over three areas in Southern Luzon and one in Western Visayas. Signal 2 is up in seven areas in Southern Luzon and two in Western Visayas. Signal 1 also remained in five areas in Luzon and three in Western Visayas.
Storm signals were lifted in Metro Manila, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands; Cagayancillo Island, northern Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Guimaras, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Camotes Islands, central and southern Cebu, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, and Catanduanes.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) last spotted Ursula 15 kilometers south-southwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro as of 4 p.m. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. It was moving westward at a speed of 20 kph.
Ursula maintained its strength as a typhoon despite making landfall seven times over the past 24 hours. On Christmas Eve, Ursula made landfall over Salcedo, Eastern Samar at 4:45 p.m.; Tacloban City, Leyte at 7:30 p.m.; and Cabucgayan, Biliran at 9:15 p.m.
On Christmas Day, Ursula crossed Gigantes Islands, Carles, Iloilo at 2:30 a.m.; Ibajay, Aklan at 8:40 a.m.; Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique at 1 p.m.; and the southern tip of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro at 3 p.m.
Pagasa expected the eyewall of Ursula to bring “very destructive winds and intense rainfall” over the southern portion of Mindoro Provinces and the Calamian Islands on Wednesday.
Occasional to frequent heavy with intermittent intense rains were also expected on Wednesday evening over Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, and Mindoro Provinces.
Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains are expected over Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Marinduque, Aurora, and northern portion of mainland Palawan.
Pagasa advised against sea travel in areas under storm signals and warned against storm surge of up to 2 meters that could hit several coastal areas in Negros Occidental and Calamian Islands.
Pagasa weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said Ursula may reach the West Philippine Sea by Thursday and would bring improved weather conditions in affected areas. Ursula, the 21st tropical cyclone to enter the country, may weaken into a severe tropical storm by Friday before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Signal 3 was raised over Southern Oriental Mindoro (Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Bongabong, Bansud, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria), southern Occidental Mindoro (Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay, southern portion of Sablayan); Calamian Islands (Busuanga, Coron, Culion); and Caluya, Antique.
In Luzon, Signal 2 was up in Romblon, Batangas, Marinduque, the rest of Oriental Mindoro, the rest of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island; Cuyo Islands, and extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan (Linapacan,El Nido,Taytay,Araceli). In the Visayas, Signal 2 is up in Northern Antique (Libertad, Pandan,Sebaste,Culasi), and northwestern Aklan, (Malay, Nabas, Buruanga, Ibajay, Tangalan, Makato, Numancia, Lazo, Kalibo, Banga, Malinao, Madalag).
In Luzon, Signal 1 remained in Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, the rest northern mainland Palawan (Dumaran,San Vicente,Roxas), and southern portion of Quezon (Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Tayabas, Lucena, Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, Tiaong, San Antonio, Pagbilao, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Plaridel, Agdangan, Unisan, Gumaca, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Buenavista,Lopez, Guinayangan, Calauag, Alabat, Perez, Quezon). In the Visayas, Signal 1 was up in Capiz, the rest of Antique, and the rest of Aklan.