Tropical Depression ‘Ester’ sighted, but may not hit land

The low pressure area off extreme northern Luzon developed into a tropical depression, which will be called “Ester,” but is not expected to make landfall, the state weather bureau reported on Friday. Ester may leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday, but it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon in the areas of Bicol Region, Mindoro provinces, Samar provinces, Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon. Obet Badrina, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said the agency saw no reason to hoist any tropical cyclone signal. —Dempsey Reyes

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