Manila: Tropical Depression (TD) Wilma decelerated, moving west-southwestward at 10 kph, the weather bureau said Thursday. Wilma was last located 575 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

According to Philippines News Agency, more areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. These include the southern portion of mainland Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and several areas in Cebu and Bohol. Also under Signal No. 1 are parts of Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Dinagat Islands, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, and the northern portion of Agusan del Norte.

PAGASA highlighted that the northeast monsoon will also cause strong to gale-force gusts across several regions, including Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, and parts of Luzon and Visayas. Gale warnings remain in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, PAGASA warned that TD Wilma might make landfall over Eastern Visayas or the Dinagat Islands between Friday night and Saturday, with a possibility of slight intensification before landfall, although it is expected to remain a tropical depression. Heavy rains are forecasted across several regions, including Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Cebu, Bohol, and others, until Friday afternoon.