Wilma brings signal no. 1 in southern Cebu, Bohol

Local government units in Cebu province are now on heightened alert after the state weather bureau issued public storm warning signal number 1 over southern Cebu and neighboring provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cebu Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (CPDRRMC) chief Neil Sanchez asked the disaster units in the towns and cities in the provinces of Cebu to be alert of any untoward incidents that may be brought by tropical storm Wilma.

Areas under Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Wilma is moving west at 19 kilometers per hour and is bringing more rain than wind.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan Chief Oscar Tabada said Wilma is bringing 25 millimeters of water per hour that may cause flooding and landslides.

The Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu station has cancelled all trips to and from Cebu, Negros and Bohol due to rough seas brought by the storm.

Wilma has made a landfall in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur at 11 a.m. and is expected to go westward affecting southern part of Negros Occidental, southern part of Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol and Southern Leyte.

After the landfall, the storm is expected to weaken. By tomorrow the eye of the storm will be around Dumaguete.

Wilma is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday morning but a stronger storm which will be named Yolanda may also hit the country, said Tabada.

“This is stronger than Wilma,” Tabada said in a radio interview.

Cebu will experience rainshowers until Tuesday morning but weather disturbance is expected to worsen by Thursday when “Yolanda” nears the country.