MANILA – Tropical Depression Wilma has gained speed and intensified slightly after slamming into Dolores, Eastern Samar, early Saturday, December 6, 2025, unleashing gale-force gusts and torrential downpours across the Visayas and parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported. As of the latest 5 p.m. advisory, Wilma’s center was churning in the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar, barreling west-northwestward at 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the core and gustiness surging to 75 kph – a notch up from earlier estimates.
The depression’s fury has prompted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over vast swaths of Luzon and Visayas, where 39-61 kph winds and scattered rains pose minimal to minor threats to life and property. PAGASA forecasters warn of Wilma’s westward-southwestward trek, set to carve through Southern Luzon and the Visayas on Sunday, slip into the Sulu Sea, and graze northern Palawan by Monday morning. “Wilma is forecast to move generally west-southwestward for the majority of the forecast period,” the agency stated, projecting the system to weaken into a low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea, battered by the northeast monsoon (amihan).
Current Status and Path
Wilma’s landfall in Dolores marked its first Philippine touchdown, but the system wasted no time ramping up, with gusts now packing more punch amid the shear line’s moisture boost. The amihan is fueling strong to gale-force winds over Luzon, Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, whipping up waves up to 5 meters along exposed seaboards from Cagayan to Camarines Norte. “Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA cautioned, noting over 8,600 strandees in ports as of Saturday.
Affected Areas Under Signal No. 1
The signal blankets 27 localities, where gusts and showers could disrupt power lines, topple weak structures, and swell rivers. Key zones include:
Luzon:
- Sorsogon
- Masbate (Ticao and Burias Islands included)
- Romblon
- Southern Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong, Bansud)
- Southern Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Sablayan)
- Northernmost Palawan (Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay, Roxas, San Vicente; Cuyo and Calamian Islands)
Visayas:
- Northern Samar
- Northern and central Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, Maslog, Borongan City, San Policarpo, Taft, Maydolong, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche, Balangkayan, Sulat, San Julian)
- Northern and central Samar (San Jorge, San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Matuguinao, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, Catbalogan City, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan)
- Biliran
- Northern Leyte (Tunga, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Calubian, Leyte, Carigara, Babatngon, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Villaba, Capoocan, Alangalang, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Palo, Pastrana)
- Northern Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabogon; Bantayan Islands)
- Northern Negros Occidental (Sagay City, Escalante City, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Cadiz City)
- Central and eastern Iloilo (San Dionisio, Estancia, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Ajuy, Sara, Balasan, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Passi City, San Enrique, Anilao, Banate, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Pototan, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Dueñas, Bingawan, Lambunao, Calinog, Janiuay, Badiangan, Cabatuan, Maasin, Alimodian, San Miguel, Leon, Tubungan, Igbaras)
- Capiz
- Aklan
- Northern and central Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Barbaza, Valderrama, Pandan, San Jose, Bugasong, Culasi, Sebaste, Tibiao, San Remigio, Libertad, Belison, Laua-An, Hamtic; Caluya Islands)
Mindanao:
- Surigao del Norte (Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands)
- Dinagat Islands
- Northern Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza)
- Northern Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, Tubay, Cabadbaran City, Remedios T. Romualdez, Magallanes)
- Camiguin
Forecast and Risks
Wilma’s rains, amplified by the shear line and amihan, will pound Eastern Visayas and Bicol with 100-200 mm in 24 hours, easing to scattered bursts elsewhere. Flash floods loom in lowlands, landslides in slopes, and agricultural damage could mount in Samar and Leyte. “Even as a depression, Wilma’s moisture means business – rivers could swell fast,” warned PAGASA’s Obet Badrina.
Safety Advisories
Stay indoors in signal areas, avoid floodwaters, and secure loose items. Small vessels: Dock immediately. Over 8,600 port strandees highlight the urgency – heed LGU evacuations. Temperatures: 24-32°C, but wetness will chill the cheer.
In a season of lights, Wilma’s wake-up is simple: Safety first, so the holidays shine on.