‘Samuel’ threatens to bring heavy rains over Visayas, Mindanao as it moves closer to land

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Samuel continues to inch closer to the Samar-Leyte-Dinagat area, where it is expected to make landfall Tuesday night, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 10 a.m., “Samuel” was seen 335 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 65 kph.

It is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rains—which may trigger floods and landslides—are expected over Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Dinagat and Siargao Islands.

It also advised fishermen and those with small sea vessels not to venture out over the areas under Signal No. 1, seaboards of Catanduanes and the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon.

Samuel is forecast to leave the country’s jurisdiction on Thursday.

Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over 28 areas:

• Masbate including Ticao Island
• Romblon
• Southern Oriental Mindoro
• Southern Occidental Mindoro
• Northern Palawan including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Capiz
• Aklan
• Antique
• Dinagat Islands 
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin

Residents of these areas should expect winds of 30 to 60 kph or intermittent rains within 36 hours.

Forecast positions

• Wednesday morning: In the vicinity of San Remigio, Antique
• Thursday morning: 265 km west-northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Friday morning: 175 km west of PAGASA Island, Palawan (outside the Philippine area of responsibility)

— Gaea Katreena Cabico