TROPICAL storm “Ursula” (international name: Phanfone) may intensify further on Tuesday, as it approaches Eastern Samar, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to raise Signal No.2 in the province.

Nine areas in Southern Luzon, 16 in the Visayas and 2 in Mindanao are under Signal No. 1 as Ursula was spotted 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It slightly gained speed at 30 kph as it moved northwest.