Signal No. 1 raised as cyclone ‘Samuel’ nears Siargao area

Signal No. 1 was raised in four areas on Monday due to Tropical Depression “Samuel.”

Weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said the tropical cyclone might make landfall over Siargao-Dinagat Islands on Tuesday evening.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Signal No. 1 over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Island Province.

At 4 a.m. Monday, Pagasa spotted Samuel 660 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 65 kph.

Samuel was moving west-northwest at 15 kph.

Moderate to heavy rain, which may trigger flooding and landslides, may prevail over the Caraga Region, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.

If the tropical depression maintains its track, it would exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

Fishermen are advised not to sail over areas with storm signals and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. /cbb

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