By Joland Jose Abraham

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod Station yesterday explained sea travel between Iloilo City and Bacolod City will be suspended only after a storm signal is declared.

As of press time, PCG Bacolod Station commander, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, said the effects of Tropical Storm Urduja are currently under observation and conditions appear normal for travel.

However, he advised the public to be mindful of future advisories and to routinely check weather updates.

Based on data from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, the system was 240 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

The storm recorded  maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts reaching 90 kph.

The weather bureau also noted the storm is “quasi-stationary,” or moving at a very slow pace, and is expected to reach Calbayog City, Samar by Sunday afternoon./JJA, WDJ