28 areas under Signal No. 1 as Samuel maintains strength

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28 areas under Signal No. 1 as Samuel maintains strength
Tropical Depression Samuel is located 395 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, before dawn on Tuesday, November 20

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MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Samuel maintained its strength before dawn on Tuesday, November 20, as it continued moving toward the area of Dinagat Islands, Samar, and Leyte.

In a bulletin issued 5 am on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Samuel is already 395 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. It is still moving northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h).

The tropical depression continues to have maximum winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 65 km/h. But it is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm since it remains over water.

Samuel is expected to make landfall in the Dinagat-Samar-Leyte area on Tuesday evening, already as a tropical storm.

Signal No. 1 is now raised in:

  • Masbate including Ticao Island
  • Romblon
  • southern part of Oriental Mindoro
  • southern part of Occidental Mindoro
  • northern part of 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

PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rain may trigger flash floods and landslides in Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and Bicol.

Residents of those areas should be on alert, especially if they live near rivers, in low-lying communities, or in mountainous regions. PAGASA stressed the need to monitor weather updates and follow local authorities’ instructions. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

Classes have been suspended in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao for Tuesday. (READ: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Tuesday, November 20)

Fishermen and others with small sea vessels are also advised not to set sail in areas under Signal No. 1 and in the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon.

A gale warning was issued at 5 am on Tuesday for Catanduanes, the eastern coast of Albay, and the eastern coast of Sorsogon.

Seas off those areas are rough to very rough, with wave heights reaching 2.6 meters to 4.5 meters.

If Samuel maintains its speed, it would exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday evening, November 22.

Samuel is the Philippines’ 19th tropical cyclone for 2018. The country usually gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2018)

Forecast track of Tropical Depression Samuel as of November 20, 2018, 5 am. Image from PAGASA

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan will continue to trigger isolated light rains in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon on Tuesday. But PAGASA said there will be “no significant impact.”

Metro Manila and most of Calabarzon will only have localized thunderstorms on Tuesday. But flash floods and landslides are possible if the thunderstorms become severe.

PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season last June 8. – Rappler.com

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