TROPICAL STORM Urduja (international name: Kai-tak) is expected to make landfall on Eastern Samar by Friday morning, Dec. 15, bringing moderate to heavy rains within its 400-kilometer diameter, according to weather bureau PAGASA’s report as of 5 p.m. yesterday. As of Thursday afternoon, storm signal #2 was already up in Eastern Samar along with the neighboring provinces of Samar and Biliran. PAGASA said scattered to widespread rains are expected over the rest of the Visayas, and the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao within 24 hours. Residents in these areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Urduja is forecast to remain over Philippine islands over the weekend.
SEA TRAVEL, FLIGHTS AFFECTED BY URDUJA
AS tropical storm Urduja intensified yesterday, Dec. 14, more than 30 sea vessels in at least 10 ports in Bicol and four in Eastern Visayas were ordered not to venture out, leaving 3,867 passengers stranded as of 12 noon, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. There were also 561 rolling cargoes affected. Meanwhile, budget airline Skyjet canceled flights between Metro Manila and Siargao.
