‘Dodong’ dumps rain in Luzon; Signal No. 1 up in 7 provinces

PAGASA-DOST MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 1 p.m., 09 June 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Signal No. 1 has been raised over seven provinces as the low pressure area west of Luzon has intensified into a tropical depression.

In its first weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the weather disturbance, tagged as “Dodong” was seen as of 12 noon at 60 kilometers southwest of Iba, Zambales packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour.

Dodong is expected to move north northwestward at 15 kph.

Signal No.1 has been raised over Zambales, Pangasinan, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Metro Manila.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas in provinces under signal number 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides, the state-run weather bureau said.

This weather disturbance is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rain over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon, Pagasa added.

By Friday morning, Dodong is expected to be 210 km west of Laoag City and by Saturday morning, it is forecast to be 440 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes, Pagasa said.