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Philippines

Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Kai-Tak Update (GDACS, PAGASA, JTWC, JMA, NDRRMC, Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 15 December 2017)

The Tropical Cyclone KAI-TAK (named URDUJA in the Philippines) continues moving west-northwest over the Philippine sea toward Eastern Samar province (Eastern Visayas region, Philippines). On 15 December at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located 250 km east of Borongan city in Eastern Samar province, and had a maximum sustained wind speed of 83 km/h (Tropical Storm).

Over the next 48 hours it is forecast to continue moving northwest toward Eastern Visayas region. It is expected to make landfall over Northern-Eastern Samar area on 16 December morning/afternoon UTC, possibly as a Tropical Storm, and may continue moving over Visayas region on 16-18 December. Heavy rain and strong winds may occur over the regions of Visayas, southern Luzon and northern Mindanao. As of 15 December, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has advised residents in these areas to be alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. They also issued, as of the same date, a heavy rainfall warning (red warning level) for Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces, as well as a Tropical Cyclone warning signal 2 for Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran provinces.

Heavy rain has already started to affect Visayas and northern Mindanao, causing floods and landslides. According to media, as of 15 December at 7.00 UTC, five houses have been destroyed and at least 900 people have been evacuated in Misamis Oriental province (Northern Mindanao region). Several roads have been damaged due to landslides in the Eastern Samar province.