Tropical depression “Samuel” continued to move west-northwestward while coming closer to the Leyte Gulf area on Tuesday afternoon.
As of 5 pm Tuesday, the center of “Samuel” was estimated at 250 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte or 165 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
It was moving west-northwest at 20 kms per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 remained in effect over Masbate, including Ticao Island; Romblon; southern Oriental Mindoro; southern Occidental Mindoro; 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, and Camiguin.
“Samuel” is forecast to make landfall between the southern portion of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, more than 5,000 passengers were stranded in ports Tuesday across Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao due to the inclement weather.
READ: Storm warning up over Eastern Visayas
In its latest advisory, the Philippine Coast Guard said 5,656 passengers, 728 rolling cargos, 159 vessels and 47 motorbancas were stranded in Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions as of 10 am.
Based on the PCG’s guidelines, no vessel of any type or tonnage shall be allowed to sail except to take shelter, as the situation may warrant, whenever storm Signal No. 1 or higher, is hoisted within its point of origin, the intended route and port of destination.
All vessels already underway shall seek shelter when any storm signal is hoisted in its immediate vicinity, along its route, and point of destination.
Moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, are expected over the Visayas, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Dinagat Islands and Siargao islands. With PNA
READ: 'Samuel' enters PAR, may hit hard