Flood, landslide warnings out as ‘Samuel’ approaches

MANILA, Philippines — The eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao will experience moderate to heavy rains from Tropical Depression Samuel beginning today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned yesterday.

PAGASA advised residents of Caraga region (Agusan del Norte and Sur, Surigao del Norte and Sur, and Dinagat Islands) Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley to brace for possible flooding and landslides.

Meno Mendoza, PAGASA senior weather specialist, said Samuel was forecast to make landfall over Caraga and parts of the Visayas tomorrow.

It will cross the entire Visayas on Wednesday and exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

Tropical cyclone warning signals were expected to be raised over provinces in the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao between last night and this morning.

The agency also advised fishermen and those who use small sea vessels against venturing out over the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao due to the approaching tropical cyclone.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the center of Samuel was spotted at 875 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph. It was forecast to move west southwest at a speed of 25 kph.

If it maintains its present speed and track, Samuel is expected to be at 625 km east southeast of Hinatuan this morning and at 250 km east southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte tomorrow morning.

It is projected to be at 40 km west southwest of Iloilo City on Wednesday morning and 330 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan by Thursday morning.

Samuel is the 19th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first weather disturbance this month.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila will continue to experience good weather apart from isolated rains due to thunderstorms.

The regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley will experience isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon.