In a bulletin issued 5 am on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Samuel is already 660 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
It is moving west northwest at a slightly slower 15 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 20 km/h.
The tropical depression continues to have maximum winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 65 km/h. But it could still strengthen into a tropical storm since it remains over water.
Signal No. 1 is raised in:
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Agusan del Norte
- Dinagat Islands
Samuel might make landfall in the Siargao-Dinagat Islands area on Tuesday, November 20.
PAGASA also warned that moderate to heavy rain may trigger flash floods and landslides in Caraga, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Camiguin, and Misamis Oriental.
The rest of the Visayas and of Mindanao, as well as Bicol, could also experience scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.
Fishermen and others with small sea vessels are also advised not to set sail in areas under Signal No. 1 as well as in the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and of Mindanao.
A gale warning was issued at 5 am on Monday for the eastern coast of Samar, the eastern coast of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Davao Oriental.
Seas off those areas are rough to very rough, with wave heights reaching 2.6 meters to 4.5 meters.
If the tropical depression maintains its speed, it would exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday, November 22.
Samuel is the Philippines' 19th tropical cyclone for 2018. The country usually gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan will continue to trigger isolated light rains in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon on Monday. But PAGASA said there will be "no significant impact."
The rest of Luzon will only have localized thunderstorms on Monday. But flash floods and landslides are possible if the thunderstorms become severe.
PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season last June 8. – Rappler.com
SOURCE: https://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/weather-alert/217000-tropical-depression-samuel-pagasa-forecast-november-19-2018-5am
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