TD Wilma now threatens 18 areas with Signal No. 1

Tropical Depression Wilma has prompted the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 1 in 18 areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As of Friday morning, Wilma was spotted 245 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is moving west-southwest at 20 kph and is expected to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Dinagat Islands between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Wilma is expected to slightly intensify before landfall but will likely remain a tropical depression throughout the forecast period, with further intensification possible once it moves over the West Philippine Sea.

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