Tropical Depression Crising threatens Samar

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MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Crising maintained its course early Saturday afternoon, April 15, threatening the Samar area.

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said that Crising would make landfall in Samar between 3 pm and 5 pm on Black Saturday.

In a bulletin issued 2 pm, PAGASA said Crising is already 130 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It continues to move west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h).

It still has maximum winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

The following areas remain under signal number 1:

• Sorsogon
• Burias Island
• Romblon
• Masbate including Ticao Island
• Aklan
• Antique
• Iloilo
• Capiz
• northern part of Cebu
• northern part of Negros Occidental
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte

Moderate to heavy rain is expected within Crising’s 250-km diameter, which could bring flash floods and landslides. Residents and Holy Week travelers in the tropical depression’s path are advised to be on alert.

After hitting Samar, Crising will cross northern Visayas and Southern Luzon until Sunday evening, April 16.

There is a possibility that after making landfall, the tropical depression will weaken into a low pressure area (LPA).

But PAGASA advised the public not to be complacent, since there would still be moderate to rough waters in the seaboards of Samar, Leyte, and Sorsogon on Saturday.

On Twitter, the Philippine Coast Guard said ports in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon have canceled trips.

Ports in Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur cancelled trips due to #CrisingPH pic.twitter.com/GuXRew2sXg

— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) April 15, 2017

 

Nearly a thousand passengers have been stranded due to Crising.

UPDATE as of 8AM. Stranded due to #CrisingPH pic.twitter.com/I9KPeIQMzy

— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) April 15, 2017

 

Metro Manila, meanwhile, will only have light rain starting Sunday morning.

– Rappler.com