Pagasa: ‘Domeng’ intensifies into tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Domeng has intensified into a tropical storm while moving away from the country’s landmass, the state meteorologist said on Friday.

In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that “Domeng” intensified into a tropical storm at 8:00 am on Friday and is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category with a peak intensity of around 95 kilometer per hour (kph) by Saturday afternoon or evening.

“Domeng”,  last spotted some 940 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, is moving northward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

“Tropical storm ‘Domeng’ is forecast to gradually accelerate north-northwestward throughout the forecast period and remain far from the Philippine landmass,” Pagasa said in its latest bulletin.

The tropical storm will is also expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday.

“Outside the PAR region, the tropical cyclone is forecast to pass very close or make landfall in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands tomorrow afternoon or evening,” Pagasa added.

 gsg