'Queenie' to make landfall over Surigao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression "Queenie" has maintained its strength and is expected to hit land this afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its latest bulletin issued at 11 a.m., PAGASA said the center of the tropical depression was located at 210 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Queenie is still packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) while moving west at 24 kph.

PAGASA said Queenie is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Sur this afternoon and traverse the Northern Mindanao area tonight.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been estimated within the 300-kilometer diameter of the cyclone.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 remains hoisted over 20 locations, where residents in low lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

PAGASA said the tropical depression is expected to be at 35 kilometers north of Dipolog City and at 105 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa by Friday morning.

Queenie is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening and over the West Philippine Sea by Saturday morning.

The weather bureau is advising fishermen and those with small seacrafts not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao.