Tropical depression may enter PAR on Thursday – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression outside is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday afternoon or evening.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the tropical depression was last spotted 1,645 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 70 kph as of 3 a.m.

The tropical depression is moving north northwest at 20 kph.

Once it enters PAR, it will be named “Marilyn”.

It has no direct effect yet on the country but its trough or extension will trigger rain showers in many parts of the country, including the Bicol region, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Quirino, Aurora, Isabela and Cagayan, Pagasa said.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, meanwhile, will have cloudy skies weather with scattered rain showers due to localized thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The Visayas will likewise be affected by the tropical depression’s trough, bringing rain showers that may lead to floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, Mindanao will have cloudy skies and isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Gale warnings were raised in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Siquijor, southern coast of Bohol, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin and Misamis provinces. /gsg