Weather: 'Ramon' may make landfall in Leyte Wednesday night

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tropical Depression Ramon may make landfall on Southern Leyte Wednesday evening. This early, four areas in Mindanao were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Ramon continued to move closer to Mindanao Monday afternoon. On its Twitter account, PAGASA said Ramon was estimated at 560 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 4 p.m. "Expected landfall (is at) Southern Leyte (Wednesday) evening," PAGASA tweeted. An earlier report by the US Navy projected that the cyclone may make landfall as early as Wednesday. It may also hit Cebu, Negros and the Panay islands if it will not change directions.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Ramon was packing maximum winds of 55 kph and was moving west at 15 kph. It said Ramon is expected to be 260 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Tuesday afternoon and 90 km east of Surigao City by Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday afternoon, it is expected to be in the vicinity of Bantayan Island or 100 km north of Cebu City. Placed under Storm Signal No. 1 were:

Surigao del Norte

Siargao Island

Surigao del Sur

Dinagat Group of Islands Ramon may bring 5 to 20 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) rain from its 300-km diameter, PAGASA said. It reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. — RSJ, GMA News