'Seniang' makes 4th landfall, dumps torrential rains

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 11:40 a.m.) - Tropical Storm "Seniang" made its fourth landfall on Tuesday as it dumped intense and torrential rains over several areas in the Visayas.

State-run Panahon TV reported that Seniang made its fourth landfall over Guihulngan, Negros Oriental about 7 a.m. 

The storm's third landfall was in the vicinity of Sibunga, Cebu at 4:45 a.m., according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA had issued a red rainfall warning for Negros Occidental?, ??Leyte?, ?Biliran? and ?Samar? where torrential rains were observed.

As of 10:20 a.m., the red rainfall warning is still hoisted over Samar. The three other provinces along with Panay Island and Guimaras are now under an orange (intense) rainfall warning.

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said Seniang is now over Negros Oriental and moving towards Panay Gulf.

The state weather bureau said Seniang has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Seniang still has a diameter of 300 kilometers and the following areas remain under a storm alert:

Signal No. 2

Signal No. 1

PAGASA said residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with the storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Ocean waves may reach up to 5 meters high, the agency further warned.