TROPICAL Cyclone Warning Signal number 1 has been raised in Central Visayas for Monday, Nov. 19, with the coming of weather disturbance Samuel.

Alfredo Quiblat, head of weather bureau Pagasa Mactan, said Samuel entered as a tropical depression at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18. Signal number one was raised in Eastern Visayas on Sunday night.

As of press time, Quiblat said Samuel was spotted 875 kilometers east southeast of Hinautan, Surigao del Sur. Samuel may become a severe tropical storm with a strength of 89-119 kilometers per hour.

Quiblat said that based on Pagasa’s forecast, Samuel is on track to make landfall in the Caraga Region. But there’s a possibility the storm will deviate and go either to Northern Mindanao or Eastern Visayas.

Quiblat said the storm will hit Cebu on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

“It will bring moderate and heavy rains that will cause flashfloods and landslides,” he said.

Quiblat urged Cebuanos to prepare for its impact.

Storm Samuel is the 19th weather disturbance to hit the country and the first this month. (EOB)