'Samuel' barrels toward Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9 a.m.) — Tropical Depression Samuel is now over the Visayan Sea and heading toward Iloilo, PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said "Samuel" is moving west at 30 kph. 

Its center was estimated at 90 km east-southeast of Roxas City, Capiz and packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

"Samuel" has slightly weakened, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph, after its second landfall on Daram, Samar at 4 a.m. Wednesday. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph, the state weather bureau said at 2 a.m. when the tropical depression made its first landfall on Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

The tropical depression's land interaction, however, increased its gustiness to 80 kph, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin showed, from the 65 kph in its advisory three hours earlier.

PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains which might trigger flooding and landslides is expected over the regions of Bicol and Mimaropa and the province of Quezon.

Fisherfolk and those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the areas under Signal No. 1 as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon.

As of 8 a.m., Signal No. 1 was raised over Masbate including Ticao Island, Romblon, southern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro, Palawan including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands, Biliran, Leyte, northern Cebu, northern Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.