Usman seen to bring heavy rains over Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Dinagat

Signal No. 1 is still raised over 18 areas as Tropical Depression Usman slowed down while moving west at 10 kph, according to PAGASA.

In its 5 p.m. weather update, the following areas were placed under Signal No. 1:

Luzon

• Romblon
• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas

• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Northern Cebu including Camotes Islands
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Northern Iloilo
• Northern Negros Occidental

Mindanao

• Dinagat Island

PAGASA warned small seacraft not to venture out over the seaboards of areas under Signal No. 1.

A gale warning has also been raised over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Surigao Provinces due to the surge of the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Tropical Depression Usman was located at 410 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Dinagat Islands on Thursday. Residents were advised to be vigilant for possible flooding and landslides.

Signal No. 1 may also be raised over Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Marinduque, southern Oriental Mindoro, Antique, rest of Iloilo, and Guimaras in the next couple of hours.

Maritime travels in these areas are likely to be disrupted, the state weather bureau said.

Furthermore, PAGASA said that Usman may intensify into a Tropical Storm prior to landfall over Eastern Samar on Friday afternoon.

Moderate to heavy rains are also expected over Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday.

Usman is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Sunday evening and Monday morning. —NB, GMA News