Urduja is 19th Christmas-season storm in PHL since 2000

A low-pressure area detected east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur last week developed into a tropical depression on December 12 and was renamed Urduja by state weather bureau PAGASA.

In the days since, Urduja has made its way westward across the Bicol Region and the Visayas.

Christmas storms

Urduja is the 19th storm to hit the Philippines in December since 2000.

The deadliest of these holiday-season storms so far has been Tropical Storm Sendong, which killed at least 1,268 people in 2011; and Typhoon Pablo, which took another 1,067 lives a year later.

Urduja's track

Urduja has made landfall over San Policarpio, Eastern Samar on Saturday afternoon; Malay, Aklan on Sunday evening; and Taytay, Palawan on Monday morning.

As of Monday afternoon, at least 31 people have been confirmed dead, 19 injured, and 49 missing in the storm's wake.

According to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of Monday (December 18), a total of 62,309 families or 270,707 individuals in 554 barangays in 17 provinces have been affected by Urduja, with some 44,000 of these families served inside or outside evacuation centers.

Vinta

Urduja is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday. But a new tropical cyclone is coming to take its place.

As of 2 p.m. Sunday, a tropical depression was estimated at 1,950 kilometers east of Mindanao. According to PAGASA meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio, this new cyclone is expected to enter the PAR on Friday, December 22 and follow a similar track as Urduja's.

As of Monday, this tropical depression has weakened into a low pressure area.

When it enters the PAR, it will be renamed Vinta and will be the 20th holiday-season storm to hit the Philippines since 2000. — BM, GMA News