'Urduja' moves eastward; Pagasa monitors another cyclone

Even as Tropical Depression Urduja moved eastward and continues to threaten eastern Visayas and Mindanao, state weather forecasters are monitoring a new tropical storm that may enter Philippine territory in three days. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday the incoming storm is more powerful than Urduja. "Sa ngayon meron kaming mino-monitor, pero malayo pa sa Philippine area of responsibility. Tropical storm na po ito, mas malaki ang circulation (We are monitoring a new tropical storm but it is far from the Philippine area of responsibility as of now. But this is far bigger than Urduja)," Pagasa forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Javier said the new storm, with international code-name "Nida," may affect areas between Visayas and Mindanao once it enters Philippine territory. When asked when it may enter the country's area of responsibility, he said, "three days pa (at least in three days’ time)." The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) 6 p.m. Tuesday report said Nida packed maximum winds of 55 knots (102 kph) near the center and gustiness of 80 knots (148 kph). But in the next 24 hours, it may intensify and pack winds of up to 70 knots (130 kph) near the center. JMA said that Nida was moving north northwest. On the other hand, Pagasa's 5 a.m. bulletin said Urduja was estimated at 70 km east of Surigao City as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near its center and moving east slowly. "Northeastern Mindanao will have rains and occasional gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers," Pagasa said. Urduja is expected to be 130 km east of Surigao City Thursday morning, and 220 km east of Surigao City or 210 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar Friday morning. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 310 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 include Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Island, and Siargao Island. Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes in areas under Storm Signal 1 to take all precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. - LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV