Tropical Depression Samuel dumps rains over Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Samuel slammed the eastern sections of the Visayas and Mindanao yesterday, bringing heavy rains that could trigger flooding and landslides.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) urged those living near or in river channels, low-lying and mountainous areas to seek higher ground.

Samuel was forecast to make landfall between the southern portion of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands last night. 

Although Samuel is not a powerful cyclone, it was expected to dump heavy rains over the Visayas, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol and Zamboanga Peninsula between 2 p.m. yesterday and 2 p.m. today, according to PAGASA senior weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Masbate, including Ticao Island, Romblon, southern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro and Palawan including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands.

Also placed under signal No. 1 were the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique.

In Mindanao, signal No. 1 was hoisted over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Apart from heavy rains, areas under signal No. 1 may experience gusty winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) within the next 36 hours.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Samuel was spotted at 250 kilometers east of Maasin City in Southern Leyte, or 165 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar with packed winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

It was forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph.

The storm was expected to be over Sulu Sea this afternoon and over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow afternoon.

Samuel was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow afternoon or night. 

Stranded

Over 5,000 passengers were stranded yesterday in ports nationwide as trips were canceled due to the cyclone, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

PCG spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said at least 5,650 passengers, 159 vessels and 47 motor bancas were prevented from sailing as of 10 a.m. 

The PCG recorded 1,538 stranded passengers in Central Visayas, 1,456 in Bicol, 1,377 in Southern Visayas, 508 in Northern Mindanao, 480 in Eastern Visayas and 297 in Western Visayas.  

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mobilized its field offices in areas along Samuel’s path.

Classes were suspended in more than 91 cities and municipalities in Central and Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga region.

Five cities and municipalities in the Caraga region implemented pre-emptive evacuation even before Samuel could make landfall. – With Edu Punay, Janvic Mateo, Jaime Laude