LPA develops into TD Urduja, to bring moderate to heavy rains

The low pressure area (LPA) detected east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has developed into a tropical depression on Tuesday afternoon and was renamed Urduja by weather bureau PAGASA.

Urduja was last spotted 480 km east northeast of Hinatuan with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

It is forecast to move north northwest at 6 kph and may intensify into a tropical storm within the next 36 hours.

PAGASA has yet to raise any tropical cyclone warning signals but warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is possible within the 250 km diameter of Urduja.

Strong gale force winds are also expected in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, and eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Fisherfolk and those with small seacraft were advised not to venture out due to rough sea conditions as wave heights may reach 2.8 to 4.5 meters and wind conditions 52 to 63 kph.

Meanwhile, PAGASA put Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte under a yellow warning level due to the tail end of a cold front.

Yellow warning level means flooding is possible due to heavy rain. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor the weather and further advisories from PAGASA. — MDM, GMA News