MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Usman is unlikely to develop into tropical storm but parts of Luzon and Visayas will continue to experience heavy rains, according to PAGASA.
Northern Samar and Sorsogon were placed under a red rainfall warning— the highest alert—at around 5 p.m.
State weather bureau PAGASA warned of severe flooding and the possibility of landslides.
Meanwhile, a yellow rainfall warning was issued over Albay while Quezon province was placed under orange alert at 7 p.m.
A heavy (yellow) rainfall means two gallons per square meter per hour of rain, while an intense (orange) downpour is equal to four to eight gallons per square meter per hour, and torrential (red) rainfall means a volume of eight gallons per square meter per hour.
Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol region will experience moderate to heavy rains on Saturday, according to PAGASA.
While "Usman" continues to move westward, PAGASA said the tropical depression remained stationary based on its 2 p.m. severe weather bulletin. The same movement was observed during the 5 p.m. advisory.
"Usman" is expected make landfall in Eastern Samar Friday night or early Saturday morning.
Weather specialist Benison Estareja said "Usman," the 21st cyclone to enter the country this year, is unlikely to develop into a tropical storm.
From 250 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar at around 1 p.m.
"But we expect the center Usman to move closer again later on," Estareja said in Filipino during PAGASA's 5 p.m. Facebook live update.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, the eye of "Usman" was spotted at 285 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
The tropical depression is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Signal No. 1 warning is still in place over 27 areas. These are:
Luzon
- Northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Groups of Islands
- southern Quezon
- Marinduque
- Romblon
- Catanduanes
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands)
- southern Occidental Mindoro
- southern Oriental Mindoro
Visayas
- Eastern Samar
- Northern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Northern Cebu (including Camotes Islands)
- Aklan
- Capiz
- Iloilo
- Guimaras
- Antique
- Northern Negros Occidental.
Mindanao
- Dinagat Islands
According to reports by the Philippine Coast Guard, over 17,000 were stranded due to the suspension of sea travel. — with Ryan Macasero