Tropical Depression Wilma prompts Signal No. 1 in 21 areas

Tropical Depression Wilma prompted the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 1 in 21 areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As of Friday afternoon, Wilma was spotted 235 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression is moving west-southwest at 15 kph and is expected to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Floods and landslides are expected as Wilma and the shear line continue to trigger significant rainfall in parts of the country.

Wilma is expected to slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period.

It will continue across Visayas until Sunday, before emerging over the Sulu Sea and possibly passing over northern Palawan by Monday morning.