TD Samuel maintains strength

WEATHER

Satellite image of TD Samuel, Nov. 20, 5am/NOAA

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Samuel maintained its strength and continued to move towards DInagat Islands, Samar and Leyte before dawn, Tuesday, Nov. 20.

PAGASA’s 5 am bulletin on Tuesday said Samuel is already 395 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte and is still moving northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h). It 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.

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

Signal No. 1is raised in the following areas:

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 and that residents of those areas should be on alert, especially if they live near rivers, in low-lying areas, or in mountainous regions.