‘Samuel’ weaker but Signal No. 1 still up in 17 areas

Tropical Depression “Samuel” slightly weakened as it made its first landfall on Samar island early Wednesday, the weather bureau said.

As of 4 a.m., the eye of Samuel was in the vicinity of Daram, Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Samuel was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph), slower than the previous 55 kph speed, after making landfall over Borongan City, Eastern Samar, at 2 a.m.  However, its gustiness was up to 80 kph from 65 kph.

It is moving west-northwest direction at 25 kph.

Pagasa said the weather disturbance would continue to bring moderate to heavy rain over the Western Visayan and Bicol Regions, Calabarzon, and Southern Quezon.

The agency warned the residents of affected areas against possible flashfloods and landslides due to the inclement weather.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are still advised not to venture out as sea conditions remain rough.

The Pagasa said Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 1 remained over 17 areas in Luzon and the Visayas.

In Luzon, areas under Signal No. 1 are Masbate, including Ticao Island; Romblon, southern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan, including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands.

Still under signal number in the Visayas are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, northern Cebu, northern Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique. /cbb