The low pressure area (LPA) east of Batanes, has developed into a tropical depression and has been named “Isang,” the state weather bureau reported on Sunday.
“Wala pa tong direktang epekto sa anumang bahagi ng ating bansa,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 11 a.m. broadcast.
“Itong southwest monsoon ang inaasahan nating indirect effect ng bagyong si Isang sa mga susunod na araw,” it added.
The enhanced southwest monsoon or hanging habagat will bring light to moderate with possible occasionally heavy rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol and Visayas.
Subsequently, Pagasa raised tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 over the Batanes and the Babuyan group of islands.
The state weather bureau said estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to occasionally heavy rain within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.
Isang, which was last located 735 km east of Basco, Batanes, at 10 a.m. Sunday, is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 to 36 hours, Pagasa said. It was moving west northwest at 19 kph.
The depression is packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and and gustiness of up to 65 kph. CBB