MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Perla intensified into a tropical storm on Friday, the state weather bureau said.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that “Perla” was last spotted 790 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.
Perla packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The tropical storm is almost stationary, Pagasa added.
While no tropical cyclone warning signal is hoisted over any part of the country as of the moment, the state weather bureau added that Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands) and Apayao may experience scattered rain showers due to the tropical storm by Saturday or Sunday. /gsg