TROPICAL Depression Samuel is now approaching the Leyte Gulf Area and is expected to make landfall between the southern portion of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands Tuesday night, November 20.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the eye of Samuel was located at 250 kilometers east of Maasin City in Southern Leyte, or 165 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The tropical depression is packing maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 65km/h.

Pagasa said Samuel will bring moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, in Visayas, Bicol, Mimaropa, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Island.

The weather bureau hoisted Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) Number 1 in Masbate, including Ticao Island, Romblon, southern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan, including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands in Luzon.

Also under TCWS Number 1 are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique in the Visayas.

In Mindanao, placed under TCWS Number 1 are Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

"Residents of from these areas are advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates," said Pagasa. (MBV/SunStar Philippines)